By outdoor-nature-child.com Many sports enthusiasts enjoy sipping a drink while cheering for their favorite teams, but recent research is raising alarms about the potential health risks associated with this habit. A report released by the American Cancer Society on September 19 highlights a troubling trend: over the past few decades, breast and colorectal cancer rates have surged among individuals under 50, despite advancements in cancer treatment that have improved survival rates.
The report reveals that 40% of all cancer cases can be linked to “modifiable” risk factors, suggesting that changes in lifestyle could play a crucial role in reducing cancer risks. These adjustments include cutting down on alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, maintaining a nutritious diet, managing a healthy weight, exercising regularly, protecting oneself from excessive UV radiation, and reducing exposure to environmental pollutants.
The authors of the report are calling for a public health campaign aimed at raising awareness about these health risks. They propose the implementation of warning labels on alcoholic beverage products stating, “Drinking alcohol may cause cancer.”
There has long been a belief that “moderate drinking” can be beneficial for heart health, but the report’s authors argue it’s time to rethink this assumption. A recent study from the UK, which monitored the lifestyle habits of 135,000 adults over a decade, found that moderate or occasional drinking does not lower the risk of heart disease. In fact, individuals who drink moderately actually have a higher cancer death rate compared to occasional drinkers, particularly among low-income seniors and those with existing health issues.
Jane Figueiredo, an infectious disease expert at Cedars-Sinai’s Oschin Research Institute in Los Angeles, expressed her concern that 51% of the population is unaware of the link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. She stated, “While we can discuss the myth that red wine may have cardiovascular benefits, there are numerous healthier ways to support heart health. The alleged benefits do not surpass the risks associated with cancer.”
The report emphasizes that excessive drinking heightens the risk of six types of cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, as well as various cancers of the head, neck, chest, colorectal, gastric, and liver regions.
In 2019, 5.4% of diagnosed cancers in the U.S. were linked to alcohol consumption, equating to one in twenty diagnosed cancers. Alarmingly, among those aged 18 to 25, only about one-third are aware that drinking can increase breast cancer risk.
Additionally, the report notes a significant rise in cancer rates among individuals in their 30s between 2010 and 2019, highlighting the steepest increases in breast cancer, thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, and rectal cancer in 2019.