Advisory from US surgeon general says alcohol contributes to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year

Summary

Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, contributing to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 deaths annually, according to a new US surgeon general advisory.

Breast cancer accounts for 16.4% of annual alcohol-related cancers, with alcohol increasing the risk of at least seven types, including liver, colorectal, and throat cancers.

Most deaths occur among heavy drinkers, though 17% occur within recommended limits.

Alcohol promotes cancer through DNA damage, inflammation, and hormone changes. Despite clear links, only 45% of Americans recognize alcohol as a cancer risk.

  • Skua
    18•4 days ago

    I’m not German, but my experience when I have visited is that foreign beer is a relatively minor market in Germany. They make so much beer of their own anyway, and a lot of it is pretty damn good, so why bother importing? Several nearby countries like Belgium and Czechia also have pretty strong traditions, so competition is stiff

    Moonshine doesn’t really get exported at scale.

    On wine, Germany is right next to France and Italy, Spain is nearby too, and there are some distinctive German styles too, so there’s huge competition. Still, if their wine market is like the UK one, then American wines are certainly present and enjoyed by plenty of people, but they don’t have a reputation for being notably strong

    With all that, the American drinks most commonly seen in Europe are bourbon and light beers. It’s not an accurate depiction of the American domestic market, but it is what makes it across the Atlantic.

    • rhabarba
      2•4 days ago

      They make so much beer of their own anyway, and a lot of it is pretty damn good, so why bother importing?

      My favourite bar imported about a dozen US beers last year, simply for the sake of variety. However, the price-performance ratio is a bit exaggerated - US imports are expensive.