U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued an advisory that points to a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of cancer. The advisory offers information on the prevalence of alcohol-related cancer cases and outlines tangible steps for raising awareness.

“In the U.S., there are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths annually,” says Dr. Murthy, who calls for an update to the Surgeon General’s warning on alcoholic beverages. The advisory also recommends that health care providers educate patients about the connection, promote alcohol screenings and provide treatment referrals as needed.

Dr. Ameer Gomberawalla, a breast surgical oncologist at Advocate Health Care and medical director of the Advocate Breast Program, says he and his colleagues already recommend that patients limit or avoid alcohol altogether.

---

Read More