Investing.com — Alcohol-related stocks fell Friday after U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a new advisory highlighting the connection between alcohol consumption and cancer. Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the country, following tobacco use and obesity.
Shares in Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) fell 1.5% in premarket trading Friday, while Budweiser owner Anheuser Busch Inbev (NYSE:BUD) and Diageo PLC (NYSE:DEO) dropped 1.9% and 2.6%, respectively. Pernod Ricard SA (EPA:PERP) stock slid more than 3% in European trading.
The advisory emphasizes that alcohol consumption raises the risk of developing at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, liver, and esophageal cancers. Despite decades of research, fewer than half of Americans are aware of this link.
“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,” Murthy said.
“This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm,” he added.
The advisory recommends updating the Surgeon General’s health warning label on alcohol products to reflect the cancer risk. It also calls for revisiting guidelines on alcohol consumption to better account for its role in cancer development.
The report underscores that cancer risk rises with increased alcohol consumption. For certain cancers, such as breast, oral, and throat cancers, the risk may begin to climb with as little as one drink per day. Breast cancer, in particular, is notably linked to alcohol, with 16.4% of cases attributed to alcohol use.
The risk of developing cancer rises with higher alcohol consumption, but for cancers like breast, mouth, and throat, even one or fewer drinks per day can begin to increase risk. The likelihood of alcohol-related cancer is influenced by a combination of biological, environmental, social, and economic factors.
The advisory advises individuals to consider cancer risks when deciding how much to drink. Public health officials and community groups are encouraged to raise awareness about alcohol as a modifiable cancer risk, while healthcare providers should inform patients and promote alcohol screening and treatment when necessary.