Call for Alcoholic Drinks to Carry Cancer Warnings

SOURCE metro.co.uk
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is calling for alcoholic drinks to carry cancer warnings due to the direct link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. Alcohol is the third most common preventable cause of cancer in the US, contributing to about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually. Dr. Murthy's advisory outlines steps to increase awareness of alcohol's cancer risk and proposes updating labels on alcoholic drinks to include warnings about the heightened risk of seven cancers linked to drinking.

Key Points

  • Alcohol is the third most common preventable cause of cancer in the US
  • Alcohol consumption is directly linked to increased cancer risk, including breast cancer
  • About 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths in the US are attributed to alcohol annually

Pros

  • Increasing awareness of alcohol's cancer risk
  • Proposing updated labels on alcoholic drinks to include cancer warnings
  • Highlighting the direct link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk

Cons

  • Potential resistance or lack of support from the incoming Republican administration