Chief surgeon dr. Vivek Murthy called for alcohol to carry cancer warning labels, saying it causes nearly 100,000 cancer cases and approximately 20,000 cancer deaths each year.
In a Jan. 3 report, Murthy noted that the current warning label — which warns against drinking while pregnant, operating heavy machinery or a car, or causing “health problems” — has not been updated since it was first introduced in 1988.
While he did not share the language for the updated label, Murthy’s report points out that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of at least seven types of cancer: breast, colon and rectal, liver, mouth, throat, larynx and esophagus.
American Surgeon General dr. Vivek Murthy.
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There are 47 countries that carry warning labels on alcohol, the report says; Labels in South Korea specifically mention the risk of cancer, and early next year Ireland will carry a cancer warning label.
“Scientific evidence has shown that conspicuous, pictorial and rotating messages, compared to less conspicuous, textual and static messages, are more effective in influencing awareness and behaviour,” Murthy’s report said. However, it will take an act of Congress to change the designation.
Future President Donald Trump does not drink, The New York Times Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he regularly attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after giving up drugs and alcohol years ago.
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“A lot of people out there assume that as long as they drink at or below the current guidelines of one drink a day for women and two for men, there’s no risk to their health or well-being,” Murthy said, according to times. “The data do not support this for cancer risk.”
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Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education