A new report by the American Association for Cancer Research reveals that the United States has made remarkable strides in reducing cancer deaths drop by 33% over the past 30 years. Between 1991 and 2021, the cancer mortality rate fell by 33%, equating to approximately 4.1 million lives saved. The report also highlights a 24% reduction in cancer death rates among children and adolescents over the last two decades.
This significant decrease in cancer-related deaths is largely attributed to several factors, including lower smoking rates, advancements in treatment options, and early detection through screening. These combined efforts have greatly improved cancer outcomes for millions of Americans.
However, while progress has been substantial, the report warns that certain risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, remain underappreciated and continue to pose significant health threats.
Alcohol’s Lesser-Known Link to Cancer
Cancer deaths drop by 33%, despite the overall decline in cancer mortality, the report emphasizes that alcohol consumption is a notable but under-recognized risk factor for cancer. The latest findings indicate that alcohol is linked to six types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, liver, stomach, head, and neck cancers, as well as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
In the U.S., 5.4% of all cancer cases in 2019 were attributed to alcohol consumption, according to the most recent data. Research has also found that alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of leukemia in children, with both moderate and high levels of drinking posing significant risks.
Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and public health expert, explained on “CBS Mornings” that excessive alcohol consumption is generally defined as three or more drinks per day for women and four or more drinks for men. Gounder also stressed that studies have shown there is no “safe amount” of alcohol, particularly for individuals with underlying health conditions. Her advice to the public is clear: “If you don’t drink, don’t start. If you do drink, try to keep it within moderation.”
Need for Public Awareness and Prevention
The report calls for greater public awareness regarding the dangers of alcohol consumption and its association with cancer. It advocates for public messaging campaigns, such as placing cancer-specific warning labels on alcoholic beverages, to increase knowledge and encourage preventive measures.
The findings also emphasize that other lifestyle factors, such as smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and poor diet, contribute to more than 40% of cancer fatalities in adults aged 30 and above. Modifiable risk factors, such as these, can be addressed to significantly reduce cancer risk.
In addition to lifestyle changes, Gounder recommends further preventive measures, including the use of sunscreen to lower the risk of skin cancer and promoting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to combat rising rates of cervical and oral cancers linked to HPV. She noted that the U.S. lags behind other high-income nations in HPV vaccination rates, underscoring the need for improved vaccination efforts to protect against these preventable cancers.
While the Cancer Deaths drop by 33% is a notable achievement, the report urges continued efforts to educate the public about modifiable risk factors, including alcohol consumption, and to promote preventive strategies to further reduce the cancer burden in the U.S.
