According to a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention journal, most Americans are unaware that alcoholic drinks such as wine can increase the risk of most cancer types despite the availability of research. Surprisingly some perceived alcohol to have health benefits. The study showed that there was significant variation for different types of alcohol.
Andrew Seidenberg, who carried the study while working as a Cancer Prevention Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, said that alcohol is the top modifiable cancer risk factor in the US, and past research has shown that many Americans are unaware of this.
According to research cited by Seidenberg, between 2013 and 2016, alcohol use was a factor in an annual average of over 75,000 new instances of cancer and about 19,000 cancer-related fatalities. Wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages raise the risk of developing cancer. Seven different malignancies, including oral, breast, and stomach cancer, have been connected to alcohol intake to this point.
More information regarding the connection between cancer and alcohol needed
Study authors indicated that it is clear that more information regarding the connection between alcohol use and cancer might be helpful for many Americans. In addition, they pointed out that this kind of instruction would be especially helpful given the amount of media attention research claiming wine has potential health advantages have gotten.
Associate Director of the National Cancers Institute’s Behavioural Research Program and senior author William M.P. Klein said all alcoholic beverages increase cancer risk. Klein added that the study findings highlight the need to come up with interventions to create public awareness regarding alcohol use’s cancer risks, especially in the existing context of the purported health benefits of wine to the heart.
The authors recommended that interventions may consist of cancer warning labels, public relations efforts, and patient-provider contacts. Klein added that message appropriateness could be increased by adjusting messaging to target audiences.
In addition to enabling individuals to make better-educated decisions, public education on how alcohol elevates cancer risk could also help to prevent and minimize excessive alcohol use.
