Less than half of Americans realize that they’re increasing their risk of cancer with every beer, cocktail or shot of whiskey.

Despite public health warnings about the links between drinking and cancer risk, this widespread lack of awareness is the key takeaway from a new nationwide survey.

“Public health messages about the risks associated with drinking alcohol have to overcome the effects of decades of sophisticated marketing and positive media portrayals,” said Patrick Jamieson, director of   of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, which conducted the poll.

More than half of adults in the U.S. drink alcohol — 17% binge drink and and 6% are heavy drinkers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Binge drinking is four or more drinks in two hours for women and five or more for men.

The CDC says people can “lower your risk for cancer by drinking less alcohol or drinking none at all.”

But that message has apparently been lost on most Americans.

Six in 10 surveyed were unaware that regular alcohol use increases odds for developing cancer, the survey showed. 

Four in 10 weren’t certain that statement was true, and 2 in 10 were even farther off the mark — either wrongly saying drinking would have no effect or would lower a person’s cancer risk, the survey found.

Respondents came from a panel of 1,744 adults questioned in September. 

More information

Learn more about alcohol and cancer risk at the National Cancer Institute.

SOURCE: Annenberg Public Policy Center, news release, Nov. 22, 2024

Source: HealthDay