Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - There's reaction to the U.S. Surgeon General's call for alcoholic products to carry a warning label on the risk of cancer. One area cancer physician believes this is more about awareness than anything else.
"I think the overarching goal of the new Surgeon General's advisory on alcohol and cancer risk is really about increasing public awareness about the role of alcohol as the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., after tobacco and obesity," said Dr. Rikki Cannioto of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The impetus for the report is although most Americans drink on a regular basis, less than half of Americans are aware of an increased risk associated with alcohol consumption.
Researchers started drawing a connection in the early 1980s, and in recent decades, there's really been more widespread epidemiological evidence and causal evidence in terms of the biological pathways.
"There is this growing body of epidemiological evidence supporting the link between alcohol consumption and specifically, seven cancers," Dr. Cannioto added.
Over the recent decades, there was some epidemiological evidence to suggest that moderate consumption led to health benefits regarding cardiovascular disease. But Dr. Cannioto notes as the scientific evidence is growing in the literature, some of those early findings are coming into question.
"Perhaps there was a bias in the way that the evidence was collected or reported, and there's now mounting evidence to suggest that in addition to increased cancer risk, that there is increased risk of other chronic disease and all cause mortality as well," Dr. Cannioto said.
In terms of cancer prevention, Dr. Cannioto says the best way would be to not drink alcohol at all.
"However, I think the most important consideration is the overall amount of alcohol that someone consumes consistently over time. The recommendation is that if you do drink, it's best to drink in moderation. And the definition of moderation is one drink per-day for women or two drinks per-day for men," she said.
Dr. Cannioto adds whether the label is introduced is a matter of time, but notes that's something that would have to go through Congress and involve policy change.