The Cut: How Worried Do I Need to Be About Alcohol and Cancer?
The Cut and NBCNews.com recently interviewed epidemiologist Jane Figueiredo, PhD, professor of Medicine and director of Community and Population Health Research at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, about a new advisory report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that links alcohol consumption to at least seven types of cancer.
Figueiredo told The Cut the association between alcohol and liver cancer has been well known, but the report also noted connections to breast, colorectum, mouth, esophagus, throat and voice box cancers.
“I think there was more of a layperson understanding of alcohol and liver disease and liver cancer,” she said, “but the fact that there’s so many cancers linked to alcohol consumption has taken people by surprise—and called them to reflect upon their alcohol use more seriously.”
Figueiredo told The Cut previous messaging suggesting moderate amounts of red wine could benefit the heart “got overblown a bit,” and that new research indicates there are no benefits to moderate drinking.
“What we can say right now is—whatever your drinking habits are—cutting down will reduce your risk,” she said, adding that another benefit is, “You save money from not drinking.”
Figueiredo told NBCNews.com cutting back on alcohol is just one lifestyle modification that can improve health.
“There are many ways that you can lower your risk of stroke, diabetes [and] heart disease, other than drinking,” she said. “Looking at the whole picture, and the risks and benefits for your entire health and mental and wellbeing, is really important.”
Click here to read the complete article from The Cut. Click here to read the complete article from NBCNews.com.