A new study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians found that 40% of all cancer cases and nearly half of all cancer deaths in the United States in 2019 were attributable to preventable risk factors. This means that hundreds of thousands of cancer cases and deaths could have been avoided if people had made healthier lifestyle choices.
The study, conducted by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS), looked at data on cancer incidence and mortality, as well as risk factor prevalence, to estimate the proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to modifiable risk factors. These risk factors included smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and certain infections.
The study found that smoking was the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths. Excess body weight was the second leading risk factor, followed by alcohol consumption.
The study also found that certain cancers were more preventable than others. For example, more than 80% of all melanomas of the skin and cancers of the anus, larynx, lung, pharynx, trachea, esophagus, and oral cavity were attributable to avoidable risk factors.
Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk
The research from the American Cancer Society highlights the significant impact of alcohol consumption on cancer development in the United States. In 2019, alcohol was estimated to be the fourth largest contributor to all cancer cases in men, accounting for 4.7% of cases or 42,400 individuals. In women, it was the third largest contributor, responsible for 6.2% of cases or 54,330 individuals.
The study found that alcohol consumption was associated with several types of cancer, with oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers being the most strongly linked. In men, alcohol was estimated to contribute to nearly half (49.9%) of oral cavity cancers and 44.6% of pharyngeal cancers. In women, these figures were lower but still substantial, with 25.1% of oral cavity cancers and 22.5% of pharyngeal cancers attributed to alcohol.
The impact of alcohol was not limited to these cancers. A significant number of breast cancer cases in women (44,180 cases) were also linked to alcohol consumption, making it the cancer type with the largest number of attributable cases in women. In men, colorectal cancer had the highest number of attributable cases (13,850 cases).
The study’s findings underscore the importance of reducing alcohol consumption as a key strategy for cancer prevention and is a reminder to get screened for early detection. Public health initiatives aimed at educating the public about the risks associated with alcohol, promoting moderate drinking habits, and providing support for those seeking to reduce their alcohol intake could significantly contribute to lowering the cancer burden in the United States.
It’s important to note that the study found a higher proportion of cases attributable to alcohol consumption in men than in women for most cancer types, except for esophageal cancer. This difference may be due to varying drinking patterns and amounts between the sexes. However, the substantial number of breast cancer cases linked to alcohol in women highlights the need for targeted interventions to address this issue.
Key Findings
- Smoking was the leading risk factor, contributing to 344,070 cancer cases and 169,810 cancer deaths.
- Excess body weight was the second leading risk factor, contributing to 135,910 cancer cases and 43,520 cancer deaths.
- Alcohol consumption was the third leading risk factor, contributing to 96,730 cancer cases and 24,410 cancer deaths.
- Lung cancer had the largest number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to modifiable risk factors.
- Skin cancer was also highly preventable, with 92.2% of cases attributable to UV radiation exposure.