Alcohol and Cancer: What's the Real Story?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has retracted a report suggesting that even small amounts of alcohol can cause cancer and other health issues. This decision has sparked a heated debate among experts, advocacy groups, and the alcohol industry. The report, originally intended to update the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, will no longer be submitted to Congress.
Key Findings of the Shelved Report
The Alcohol Intake and Health Study concluded that consuming just one alcoholic drink per day could increase the risk of:
- Liver cirrhosis
- Oral and esophageal cancers
- Injuries
However, HHS has since instructed researchers not to submit the report as planned.
Contradictory Findings from NASEM
Another report, conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), presented a different perspective. It suggested that moderate drinking might be associated with:
- Lower overall mortality rates
- Reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes
However, the report also acknowledged a small but significant increase in breast cancer risk for women.
Criticism and Industry Influence
Some experts involved in the NASEM report faced criticism due to financial ties to alcohol manufacturers. Despite this, NASEM maintains that the industry did not influence its findings. The alcohol industry has publicly supported NASEM’s conclusions, arguing that the HHS-backed study was biased.
Advocates Accuse HHS of Suppressing Data
Public health advocates have accused HHS of suppressing critical data that could shape health policies. The researchers behind the withdrawn study plan to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed medical journal instead.
Growing Evidence Against Moderate Drinking
Recent studies challenge older research suggesting that moderate drinking is harmless or even beneficial. New findings increasingly link alcohol consumption to:
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- At least five other malignancies
Earlier this year, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on alcoholic beverages, citing evidence connecting alcohol to multiple cancers.
The Bottom Line
The NASEM report found that even occasional heavy drinking can negate any potential benefits, such as a reduced risk of ischemic stroke. The key takeaway is that while two drinks a day may seem moderate socially, it poses significant health risks.
A man who drinks two drinks daily has a 1 in 25 chance of dying prematurely from alcohol-related causes.
