A report has revealed that 40% of all cancers in the U.S. are associated with modifiable risk factors.
According to the American Cancer Society’s 2024 Cancer Progress Report, advancements in cancer research have decreased the overall cancer mortality rate for all age groups by 33% from 1991 to 2021.
But despite the progress, experts are forecasting over 2 million new cancer cases in the U.S. alone in 2024. So, what’s behind these numbers? A lot of it comes down to barriers in healthcare—like lack of access to vaccines and early screenings—as well as lifestyle choices such as drinking too much alcohol.
The report also reveals that a whopping 40% of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S. are tied to risk factors we can control. One of the biggest offenders? Alcohol. In fact, overconsumption of alcohol was linked to 5.4% of cancer cases in 2019, making it a major risk factor we just can’t ignore.
Dr. Anton Bilchik from Saint John’s Cancer Institute weighed in on the alcohol-cancer connection, noting that while alcohol definitely plays a role in cancer development, the report leaves out some crucial details—like how much alcohol is too much. He pointed out that moderate drinking, especially in the context of a Mediterranean diet, is actually linked to heart health.
He emphasized that while it is recognized that large amounts of alcohol act as risk factors for various diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer, the specific quantities remain unclear. This is because the tolerance and the effect of alcohol can vary based on biological sex and metabolism. Medical professionals noted that this report poses a significant public health crisis and that it’s crucial to focus on prevention rather than the cure.
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