In a report that constitutes one of the most thorough review of alcohol and cancer-related deaths in the U.S. over the past 30 years – scientists made some eye-popping conclusions that everyone needs to be aware of. Here are the highlights:

• Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of preventable cancer deaths.
• Alcohol is a potent carcinogen – the more one consumes the higher the cancer risk, but even small doses significantly increase cancer risk.
• 30 percent of all alcohol-attributable cancer deaths are in those consuming 1.5 drinks or less a day. (This is something that I know most people are unaware of!)
• Drinking alcohol is a significant risk factor for cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and female breast.
• 15 percent of all breast cancer deaths in women are caused by alcohol.
• Alcohol-related cancer deaths result in an average of 18 years of lost potential life.
• Although moderate alcohol consumption can decrease the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths, alcohol still causes 10 times as many total deaths as it prevents.

(American Journal of Public Health April 2013)