According to research published in an upcoming edition of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, a percentage of cancer occurrences and mortalities are directly linked to alcohol intake in adults living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
While the types of cancer varied and the estimated number of cases differed across the country, the study authors from the American Cancer Society and University of Illinois at Chicago recommend health programs designed to educate the public about this connection.
It's no secret that drinking alcohol can increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer. After collecting scientific information from around the globe, the American Institute for Cancer Research concluded that the consumption of wine, beer and spirits can raise the risk of six cancers (including colorectal, breast, esophageal, liver, stomach, and oral).
Yet, the latest study took figures from the U.S. Cancer Statistics database over a three-year period (2013 through 2016) in order to obtain a breakdown of patient cases and deaths among regions and states.
On a national level, alcohol was responsible for approximately 75,200 cancer incidences (4.8%), along with 18,950 (3.2%) fatalities each year. More cases were recorded in New England and Western states (minus Utah) while the statistics were lower in Midwestern and Southern states.
Delaware ranked among the highest in occurrences (6.7%) and, along with Nevada, reported the highest number of deaths (4.5%). Utah was found to have the lowest percentage of cases (2.9%), as well as mortalities (1.9%).
Another big takeaway from this research was that men had higher rates of alcohol-related cancers and deaths, and the study authors believe this is partly due to their higher levels of alcohol consumption.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends drinking alcohol in moderation, which is defined by two drinks or less in a day for men and one drink or less in a day for women. The agency reports that two in three adults who consume alcoholic beverages will drink more than a moderate amount at least once a month.
The American Cancer Society agrees with these guidelines and adds that it's best to skip alcohol altogether. Their goal is to encourage states to prioritize cancer prevention campaigns.
"Healthcare providers and public health practitioners can educate the community to expand the currently limited awareness of the cancer-related risks of alcohol consumption," stated the study authors in a press release.
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