Surgeon General Points to Alcohol Consumption as Cancer Threat

Is that tasty drink you plan to throw down at the beach harming your health? It could be.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently issued an advisory that points to a direct link between an increased risk of cancer and alcohol consumption.

The surgeon general reports that there are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths annually in the U.S.

The advisory says alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing at least seven types of cancer: breast, colorectal, mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus and liver.

“In most cases, you should probably limit the number of alcoholic drinks to no more than two a day,” said Dr. Todd Thompson, who sees patients at Atrium Health Floyd Primary Care Family Medicine & Pediatrics Polk in Cedartown. “Your primary care doctor can help you weigh your risks by looking at your overall health and family history.”

Aside from the cancer risk, people who drink a large amount of alcohol run the risk of getting dehydrated, which is a possible side-effect of any alcohol consumption.

“During the summer months, especially in Georgia, everyone needs to be mindful of drinking enough water,” Thompson said. “If you are drinking alcohol, you need to make sure you add plenty of water to your routine.”

Atrium Health Floyd Primary Care Family Medicine & Pediatrics Polk, 2370 Rockmart Hwy. in Cedartown, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 770-748-7819 to make an appointment.