PITTSBURGH -- When Julie Senchak would accompany her mom to doctor's appointments in the early 2000s, she would listen to what the oncologists said about alcohol — that drinking it could increase the chance of developing cancer. Even at a relatively young age, it was enough to convince Senchak not to drink alcohol, given her family history.

Now 46 and a breast cancer survivor herself, she sometimes finds herself explaining the link between cancer and alcohol if she declines a drink in a social situation.

"There are other people out there who have no idea that this is even a thing," said Senchak, of South Fayette, Pennsylvania. "They are completely shocked."

The majority of Americans, in fact, are unaware that alcohol consumption increases cancer risk, according to a report released this month by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.

To raise awareness, Murthy is recommending that information about cancer risk be added to alcoholic beverage warning labels, which currently just advise against drinking alcohol while pregnant or operating a car or other machinery.

"Despite clear evidence demonstrating the effect of alcohol consumption on cancer risk, there is a large gap in public understanding of the risk," said the report, adding that "public awareness of alcohol consumption as a cancer risk factor has not substantially improved over two decades."

A direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk was first established in the 1980s, said the report, with evidence growing stronger over time. Only 45% of Americans are aware of that link, in contrast to higher awareness of cancer risk factors connected to tobacco use (89%), asbestos (81%) and obesity (53%).

According to the surgeon general's report, studies indicate that alcohol use causes seven different types of cancer: breast cancer (in women), colorectal, esophageal, liver, mouth, throat and voice box.

And while it says that the more alcohol consumed, the greater risk of cancer, it also emphasizes that for breast, mouth and throat cancers, there is evidence that the risk may start to increase at one or even less than one drink per day.

For Jason Luke, a medical oncologist and associate director of clinical research at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, most of his patients and their families are already aware of the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk.

But he appreciates any effort from the federal government — such as warning labels on alcoholic beverages — to bring the issue to light in the general population. Such a change would need to be made by the U.S. Congress.

South Korea currently requires warning labels about alcohol and cancer, and Ireland will require them starting in 2026.

"It's actually a pretty small step toward trying to improve public health, relatively speaking," Luke said. "It's not to say that you can't have a drink, but you want to conceptualize the idea that we are adults and you've thought through this."

Luke is most concerned about an increased cancer risk in those who drink excessively, rather than the danger of ever taking a drink.

"Are you going to get cancer from having one drink? Of course not," he said. "Are you going to get cancer from having a lot of drinks a lot of the time? I think it's possible."

There are several theories detailed in the surgeon general's report as to how alcohol may cause cancer. One of the most established is that alcohol breaks down into a metabolite called acetaldehyde in the body, which damages DNA and allows cancer cells to grow uncontrollably. Alcohol also increases inflammation in the body, which affects the way that cells grow and divide. Alcohol can alter hormone levels, which makes some breast cancers more likely to develop.

For some cancers, there is evidence that even moderate drinking increases cancer risk. According to a study highlighted in the surgeon general's report, women who consume less than one drink a week have a risk of 11.3% of developing breast cancer in their lifetime by age 80. For those who average one drink a day, that risk rises to 13.1%. And for women who average two drinks a day, the risk increases further to 15.3%.

For Senchak, even a small percentage in reducing the risk of developing cancer is well worth it. Her mom died of breast cancer in 2011 at age 55 after fighting it for 12 years.

In 2018, Senchak was diagnosed with breast cancer, and is now in complete remission with no evidence of disease.

"I was very young when my mom got diagnosed," she said. "I knew I was high risk for breast cancer and I never drank. ... When you are fighting for your life and you know reducing or not drinking alcohol is one thing that will help save your life, you are going to do it."

To remember her mother and to promote awareness of breast cancer, Senchak started the South Fayette/Bridgeville 5K through the American Cancer Society.

She is hoping that warning labels — or just increased public discussion — can also promote discussion of the cancer risks of alcohol.

"I'm not against drinking even though it's not the thing for me," she said. "This would create awareness for everybody to understand so they can make educated decisions. It's more of an eye-opener."

©2025 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.