WASHINGTON (TNND) — The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a new warning about the link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of cancer, urging for updated health warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”

Government research indicates that consuming alcohol can elevate the risk of developing several types of cancer, including mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, breast, colorectum, and liver cancers. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, women who consume two alcoholic beverages daily increase their cancer risk by 21.8%, while men face a 13.1% increase. Alcohol is reportedly responsible for approximately 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States.

The science behind alcohol's cancer risk involves its breakdown into acetaldehyde, a chemical compound that can damage DNA, thereby increasing cancer risk. Alcohol consumption can lead to greater absorption of carcinogens, substances known to cause cancer. Alcohol induces oxidative stress, increasing the risk of cancer by damaging DNA, proteins, and cells and increasing inflammation. Lastly, alcohol alters levels of multiple hormones, including estrogen, which can increase breast cancer risk.

"Despite clear evidence demonstrating the effect of alcohol consumption on cancer risk, there is a large gap in public understanding of the risk. In a 2019 survey, 45% of Americans recognized alcohol use as a risk factor for cancer compared to 91% of Americans who recognized the risk of radiation exposure, 89% for tobacco use, 81% for asbestos exposure, and 53% for obesity," the advisory reads.

The Surgeon General's call for updated warning labels would require congressional approval. Current federal regulations mandate that alcoholic beverages carry labels warning against consumption during pregnancy due to birth defect risks and cautioning that alcohol impairs the ability to drive or operate machinery and may cause health problems.

Despite the Surgeon General's recommendations, political and industry challenges may hinder the adoption of new regulations. A report from Reuters notes that while President-elect Donald Trump and his nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have been vocal about the dangers of alcohol, the Republican Party's traditional resistance to regulation and the influence of the liquor industry could impede legislative progress.

Meanwhile, the mocktail movement has gained traction, with data showing a decline in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger Americans. A recent Gallup poll found that 62% of adults under 35 reported drinking alcohol, a decrease of 10 percentage points over the past two decades.