U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Friday recommended that Congress act to put warning labels on alcohol products and put out a report linking drinking to seven different cancers.

Dr. Murthy’s report linked alcohol consumption to a higher chance of developing mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, liver and colorectal cancers, as well as breast cancer in women.

According to the surgeon general’s report, alcohol is linked to nearly 100,000 total cases of cancer in the U.S. each year along with 20,000 deaths from cancer. It’s the third most common preventable cause of cancer in Americans behind tobacco usage and obesity. 

Having just two alcoholic drinks a day increases the risk of cancer in women by 5% and increases the risk of breast cancer in women by 4%. Having two drinks increases the risk of cancer in men by 3%, according to graphics shared by Dr. Murthy on social media and on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

The government’s definition of a standard alcoholic drink is a 5-ounce glass of wine, 12-ounce bottle or can of beer, or a drink containing 0.5 ounces of liquor.

About 60% of all alcohol-related cancer deaths in women are caused by breast cancer; the most common alcohol-related cancer deaths in men come from liver cancer at 33% and colorectal cancer at 21%, according to the report.

Most of America’s alcohol-related cancer deaths occur in people who drink more than the recommended two drinks per day at 83%. Conversely, 17% of the deaths affect people who drink fewer than two alcoholic drinks per day.

Alcohol causes cancer by damaging DNA, proteins and cells, altering hormone levels, dissolving and absorbing carcinogens and altering cells in the mouth in ways that make it easier for the body to absorb those carcinogens, according to a second graphic.

Because of this, Dr. Murthy wants Congress to update its labeling guidelines for alcohol.

“Congress should authorize an update to the Surgeon General’s warning label on alcohol-containing beverages to include a cancer risk warning,” he wrote on social media.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.