The United States’ top health official has called for mandatory cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages, highlighting the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy urged a reassessment of daily drinking limits to address the associated risks.

“The connection between alcohol and cancer has been recognized since the 1980s, with mounting evidence underscoring its dangers,” Murthy said in a statement on Friday. He emphasized that alcohol is a significant, preventable cause of cancer, responsible for approximately 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the U.S.—far exceeding the 13,500 alcohol-related traffic fatalities recorded each year.

Despite these figures, most Americans remain unaware of alcohol’s cancer risk, Murthy noted. Public education is essential to bridge this knowledge gap.

Since their introduction in 1988, existing alcohol warning labels have focused on risks related to pregnancy, impaired driving, and operating machinery. However, they fail to mention the established link between alcohol and cancer. Murthy urged Congress to modernize these labels, following the lead of countries like South Korea and Ireland.

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, liver, mouth, throat, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers. Notably, 16.4 percent of breast cancer cases are attributable to alcohol.

Public awareness remains low: a 2019 survey found only 45 percent of Americans recognized alcohol as a cancer risk factor, compared to 91 percent for radiation, 89 percent for tobacco, 81 percent for asbestos, and 53 percent for obesity.

Murthy also questioned the adequacy of current U.S. dietary guidelines, which recommend limiting alcohol intake to two drinks per day for men and one for women. Alarmingly, 17 percent of alcohol-related cancer deaths occur among individuals who adhere to these limits, underscoring the need for updated recommendations.

Health care providers play a critical role, Murthy emphasized, by educating patients about the risks, offering interventions, and referring them for treatment when needed.

Alcohol contributes to cancer through several mechanisms:

• It metabolizes into acetaldehyde, a chemical that damages DNA.
• It triggers oxidative stress, harming DNA, proteins, and cells.
• It disrupts hormone levels, such as estrogen, which raises the risk of breast cancer.
• It increases the body’s absorption of carcinogens, including those found in tobacco.