A glass of wine or a pint of beer may be as harmful as you may believe. Health officials have called for action after recent research revealed a clear correlation between alcohol use and cancer. Alcohol is the third most common preventable cause of cancer, after smoking and obesity, according to a recent warning from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
At least seven malignancies, including those of the breast, liver, throat, colon, and mouth, have been linked to alcohol use. This is concerning. Not only is excessive drinking dangerous, but researchers also suggest that moderate to light drinking raises your risk. For example, daily use of one drink may marginally increase the risk of breast cancer.
Even so, a lot of people are still ignorant of the link. According to studies, fewer than half of Americans are aware that drinking increases the risk of cancer. Similar to cigarette warnings, health professionals are advocating for updated alcohol warning labels that specifically address cancer risks in order to address this issue.
What are you able to do? One strategy to lower your risk is to cut back on alcohol consumption or stop completely. According to current guidelines, women should not have more than one drink per day, and men should not have more than two. However, experts advise reevaluating these limitations in light of new data.
We can make better decisions if we are informed, whether it is for preventive, health, or peace of mind. Remember this the next time you lift a glass: your long-term health is more important than moderation.
