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Are you considering participating in Dry January, the popular resolution for those looking to cut back on alcohol after a particularly celebratory season? A recent Surgeon General’s warning suggests there may be no time like the present to make this commitment.

On January 3, 2025, the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory on the links between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk. While the causal link between excessive alcohol consumption and the increased risk for several cancers has previously been acknowledged, Dr. Murthy now advises action be taken to increase awareness around the overall risk and help further prevent alcohol-related cancer occurrences. One such action to increase awareness would be to update the Surgeon General’s warnings on alcoholic beverages to highlight cancer risk.

Per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States. Unfortunately, less than half of Americans realize the risk. The leading causes of cancer in the U.S. are tobacco and obesity.

Education About Alcohol and Cancer

Another recommendation made by the Surgeon General is to increase education about the risk of cancer due to alcohol consumption. Part of the National Foundation for Cancer Research’s mission is to provide education to help prevent cancer in our quest to find cures for all cancers.

We’ve previously highlighted the delicate relationship between cancer and alcohol and also shared delicious mocktail alternatives for celebrating safely during the busy holiday season.

On our blog and YouTube channel, NFCR shares healthy living tips, including recipes, that can help prevent certain cancers. Be sure to subscribe to our channel or join our e-mail list to stay updated with the latest information. Throughout the year, we will continue expanding our knowledge base of cancer-fighting recipes and provide mocktail recipes featuring these anti-cancer foods to help you reduce alcohol consumption and live healthily.

NFCR’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian Leyland-Jones, has watched this association between alcohol and cancer for years. He advises moderation in all things:

1. Diet: Focus on chicken and fish, vegetables, and fresh fruits. Our famous lean film stars depend on raw vegetables and fruits, supplemented with chicken and fish as they desire. All olive oil: no butter, cream, or salt.
2. Alcohol in moderation.
3. Exercise regularly: no limits, but exercise daily, according to your desires. Any exercise is better than none. Start from a baseline and try to improve every month.
4. Absolutely no smoking.

If you have further questions about a healthy lifestyle, please submit them below. Our team will do our best to answer them.

Take Action to Support Cancer Prevention

The fight against cancer requires all of us to take proactive steps. You can help spread awareness about the links between alcohol and cancer by sharing this blog, participating in Dry January, or trying out one of our healthy mocktail recipes.

If you’d like to further the mission of cancer prevention and education, consider supporting the National Foundation for Cancer Research by making a donation or volunteering. Together, we can save lives and reduce cancer risks by promoting healthier lifestyles and providing vital resources for cancer research.