The Decibel Will alcohol have cancer warnings like cigarettes?
Jan 13, 2025
Dr. Adam Sherk, a Senior Scientist and Special Policy Advisor at the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, shares insights on the pressing issue of alcohol labeling and its cancer risks. He highlights the U.S. Surgeon General's recent recommendation for warning labels on alcohol, drawing parallels to tobacco packaging. The discussion covers alarming gaps in public awareness, the scientific links between alcohol and various cancers, and the effectiveness of health warnings in reducing consumption. Tune in for a thought-provoking look at alcohol’s health implications.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Alcohol and Cancer Awareness
- Only about half of drinkers know alcohol causes cancer.
- This cancer risk has been known in the scientific community for over three decades.
How Alcohol Causes Cancer
- Alcohol's ethanol and its metabolite, acetaldehyde, are group one carcinogens, definitively causing cancer.
- They damage cells, increasing the likelihood of uncontrolled replication (cancer).
Cancers Linked to Alcohol
- Alcohol is linked to at least six cancers: mouth, larynx, esophagus, colorectal, liver, and breast.
- Alcohol's effect on hormone levels, particularly estrogen in women, increases breast cancer risk.