Latest news with #ChinmayJani
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Doctors warn of ‘big and concerning rise' of alcohol-related cancer deaths in the US — who's been hit worst
A shocking new study finds the number of alcohol-related deaths in the US has nearly doubled in the last two decades. This is the first study to look at long-term trends in alcohol-linked cancer deaths across the country and was led by a team from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. But not every demographic has been hit equally. Advertisement 4 Earlier this year, the former US Surgeon General issued an advisory cautioning Americans of the strong link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk for 'at least seven types of cancer,' including breast, colon, and liver. maeching – Alcohol — classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer — is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity. Earlier this year, the former US Surgeon General, calling for a warning label to be placed on alcoholic products, issued an advisory cautioning Americans of the strong link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk for 'at least seven types of cancer,' including breast, colon and liver. In this new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers used data from the Global Burden of Disease database to understand how alcohol use contributes to cancer-related deaths. Advertisement Their research revealed that in the U.S. between 1990 and 2021, the total number of alcohol-related cancer deaths nearly doubled, from just under 12,000 deaths per year to just over 23,000. 'That's a big and concerning rise. We need to increase awareness of this link among the general population and even in the medical field,' said Sylvester hematology and oncology fellow Dr. Chinmay Jani, who led the study. Jani noted that while there is widespread awareness about the relationship between tobacco and increased cancer risk, there is less recognition of the link between alcohol and cancer. Advertisement A 2024 report by the American Association for Cancer Research found that while more than 5% of all cancer cases are caused by drinking alcohol, 51% of Americans are not aware that alcohol increases cancer risk. 4 Liver, colorectal, and esophageal cancers saw the most significant increases in alcohol-related mortality. Nadzeya – Researchers reviewed total cancer deaths, as well as those linked to alcohol consumption: breast, liver, colorectal, throat, voice box, mouth, and esophageal cancers. Advertisement Jani and his team found that the cancer mortality burden was especially high in men 55 and over, whose alcohol-linked cancer mortality rose slightly more than 1% every year from 2007 to 2021. The increase in alcohol-related cancer mortality rates is owed nearly entirely to an increase among men. In women, rates have actually slightly declined since 1990. However, even for cancers with declining mortality rates, the proportion caused by alcohol for nearly all of them rose between 1990 and 2021, for both men and women. Among all cancers combined, the percentage of cancer deaths due to alcohol consumption increased by nearly 50% between 1990 and 2021, meaning even if factors like improved screening and treatment are reducing cancer deaths, alcohol consumption is responsible for a larger percentage of cancer mortality than in the past. 4 There are a few ways that drinking can contribute to an increased likelihood of developing cancer. HHS Liver, colorectal, and esophageal cancers saw the most significant increases in alcohol-related mortality. On a state level, Texas and the District of Columbia had the highest rates of alcohol-linked cancer mortality, while Utah had the lowest. Advertisement Researchers think these differences could reflect regional differences in drinking cultures, as well as socioeconomic disparity and variances in health access. According to the Surgeon General, alcohol is responsible for 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths in the country each year. 1 in 6 breast cancer cases can be attributed to alcohol. There are a few ways that drinking can contribute to an increased likelihood of developing cancer. Advertisement 4 Former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned that alcohol causes cancer earlier this year. Getty Images One is acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen that the body creates when it breaks down the ethanol in alcohol. This compound damages DNA and prevents cells from repairing the damage, allowing cancerous cells to grow. It can also impact hormones, which affect how cells grow and divide. When that goes wrong, there's room for cancer to develop. Moreover, drinking interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients like iron, selenium, folate, and vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D, E, and K. Excess alcohol intake can contribute to weight gain, and being overweight or obese has been linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer, including those in the breasts, liver, ovaries, kidneys, thyroid, and colon and rectum. Advertisement 'We hope that our study will help educate the public on the impact of alcohol on individual cancer risk, as this is a potentially modifiable factor,' said Gilberto Lopes, M.D., Sylvester's chief of the Division of Medical Oncology and the study's senior author. In addition to reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, experts recommend other modifiable factors such as quitting tobacco, eating more green, leafy vegetables and whole grains, reducing or eliminating highly processed foods, maintaining a healthy body weight, and being physically active, all of which can lower cancer risk. For those who choose to consume alcohol, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests limiting intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Yet Another Study Warns That Consuming Alcohol Raises Cancer Rates
Dr. Chinmay Jani, the chief fellow in Hematology and Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer ... More Center in Miami, led a study connecting drinking alcohol to coming down with cancer Before people in the U.S. in the 1960's stopped smoking in great numbers, they needed to hear how it caused cancer, not once, but in several studies. In 2025, the same thing is happening with research that shows that drinking alcohol increases the rates of cancer. The latest study 'Escalating Impact of Alcohol-Related Cancer Mortality in the U..S.: A Call for Action,' published in the American Society of Clinical Oncology in May 2025, reinforces what has been written about before: consumption of alcohol greatly heightens the chances of being diagnosed with cancer. The study was written by cancer doctors from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, Fl.. Indeed it cites that already the U.S. Surgeon General in January 2025 recommended adding cancer risk warning labels to alcoholic beverages, just as cigarette packets carry these labels. But the latest study uncovers new ground by analyzing mortality rates and showing that drinking alcohol not only leads to liver cancer, but to breast, colorectal, and lip-oral cavity cancer. The results revealed that in the U.S. from 1990 to 2021 alcohol-related deaths doubled. The 55-plus age group showed a significantly higher mortality rate than those aged 20-54. To improve this situation in the future, it recommended 'targeted prevention efforts, public health policies, and increased awareness to address the rising impact of alcohol consumption on cancer-related mortality.' Alcohol consumption is down, but negligibly. A Northwell Health report said in 2022 American's alcohol consumption decreased by 1.2% from the previous year. When Jurgen Rehm, a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, was asked in a NY Times 'Ask Well' column which type of alcohol is least harmful, he replied, 'Alcohol is alcohol,' suggesting all alcohol is harmful. Here's what Dr. Chinmay Jani, the lead author of the 'Escalating Impact' study and a clinical fellow at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami, specializing in hematology and oncology, said about it in a Q&A. Question: This is the second or third study linking alcohol consumption to cancer and yet bars are packed, liquor sales are down but minimally. Why isn't the U.S. getting the message that drinking alcohol is dangerous? Dr. Jani: First and foremost, awareness is not there enough. This is the second or third study, and our study showed that drinking alcohol is linked to multiple cancers and not just liver cancer. Any time we want to deliver that message, we need more and more evidence. Until we have more evidence to deliver that message strongly, the awareness, even by the doctors, won't be strong enough., Question: What is the status of the Surgeon General's recommendation that a warning label be placed be placed on alcohol beverages? Dr. Jani: That gave us an idea to look into that data and that's how we did the study. There aren't enough warning labels on liquor bottles because people aren't receptive unless we create more evidence and do further studies. Question: Your study relied on mortality death rates. Why? Dr. Jani: First and foremost, that was the data that was available. Once we have the data, the next step is to do a prospective study, where we can see direct impact on the patients. Question: Based on this study, what would you recommend most people do about consuming alcohol? Dr. Jani: My main recommendation is that whenever you're drinking alcohol, it is a carcinogen, a chemical that can lead to cancer. The data is coming out more and more showcasing that alcohol can have a harmful effect similar to tobacco. Question: Would you recommend cutting down or cutting out alcohol? Dr. Jani: Cutting down on alcohol. We don't yet know the quantative impact of alcohol on cancer. We don't yet know the exact number of how much alcohol is safe to drink. Whether you're drinking every day or abstaining for 5 days, and then suddenly drinking, alcohol is harmful for you. Question: Stated simply, why does alcohol increase the chances of getting cancer? Dr. Jani: One mechanism is that alcohol gets converted into acetaldehyde, or is broken into different chemicals because it is a toxic carcinogen and damaging to the DNA in our body. Alcohol can also modulate hormonal pathways especially in estrogen and metabolism, which can increase alcohol's impact on cancer in females. Question: Most people who drink are considered cool, and most who don't are viewed as straight-laced or teetotalers. What's wrong with this picture? Dr. Jani: One thing I would say, healthy lifestyles is a boon to health. More and more people are becoming conscious of their mental health. All of these different addictions are extremely harmful to people. And with people who are health-conscious, the amount of alcohol or any other addiction is extremely low. Question: Smoking, for most people, is considered risky and dangerous and increasing your chances of getting cancer and reducing longevity. Should alcohol be viewed in the same way? Dr. Jani: When data came in that tobacco is a risk factor, it took almost a decade to get it out to the public. Hence, we need more data about alcohol's effect. Question: What would you tell your son or daughter about drinking alcohol? Dr. Jani: In our study, elderly people have 7 times the risk of alcohol inducing cancer than younger people. The more you drink, the effects will come later at older age. Question: The people who drink in excess like 3 or 4 beers or glasses of wine a night when going to dinner or a bar. What would you say to them? Dr. Jani: That you're inviting cancer into your life. Question: Bottom-line, what's your best scientific recommendation to people who can't resist drinking alcohol? Dr. Jani: Alcohol leads to cancer. I'll stop there.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Alcohol is killing more people than ever and one group is at the highest risk
New research has shown that alcohol related cancer deaths nearly doubled across the United States in the 30-odd years up to 2021. In 1990, 12,000 deaths caused by cancers linked to alcohol were recorded, and by 2021, this number had increased to over 23,000. These new findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago, and interestingly, they identify one societal group that is most at risk. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classes alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen. It has been linked to at least six types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, colon, and breast. And even moderate drinking increases cancer risk, reported The Mirror. But the public appear to remain unaware of the serious dangers associated with drinking alcohol. A 2024 report from the American Association for Cancer Research found that while over 5 per cent of all cancer cases are linked to alcohol, 51 per cent of Americans are unaware of this connection. While alcohol-related cancer deaths among women rose just 8 per cent from 1990-2021, men experienced a staggering 56 per cent increase, and men aged 55 and older was found to be the group at the highest risk. 'It wasn't surprising that the rates were higher in men, but the magnitude of the difference was unexpected,' said lead author Dr. Chinmay Jani, chief fellow of hematology and oncology at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, in an interview with NBC News. READ MORE: Win the ultimate home setup with the award-winning Hisense 55" U7N TV and PureFlat RQ760N4IFE Smart Fridge Freezer Researchers suggest this gender gap may be due to men starting to drink at earlier ages, allowing alcohol's long-term carcinogenic effects to accumulate over time. 'The impact of alcohol may not be immediate, but with age and continued consumption, its cancer-causing potential builds up,' Jani explained. Health officials are now pushing for stronger warning labels on alcoholic beverages and expanded public education campaigns. 'We need to raise awareness of this link — not only among the public but also within the medical community,' Jani emphasised. 'People are well-informed about tobacco and cancer, but alcohol is often overlooked.' Cancer Research UK has also recently conducted analysis on UK skin cancer data, which suggests that the way people dress when they're in the sun could be influencing where they get the most serious form of skin cancer- melanoma. Data from 2018 to 2021 shows that 40 per cent of melanomas in men were diagnosed on the torso (the back, chest and stomach) – more than any other part of the body. That translates to around 3,700 cases of skin cancer every year. In women, the most common area was the lower limbs (from the hips to the feet). More than a third of women's melanomas were diagnosed in this area- around 3,200 cases a year.
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Alcohol is killing more people than ever and one group is at the highest risk
Alcohol-related cancer deaths have nearly doubled over the past three decades. New research has shown that alcohol related cancer deaths nearly doubled across the United States in the 30-odd years up to 2021. In 1990, 12,000 deaths caused by cancers linked to alcohol were recorded, and by 2021, this number had increased to over 23,000. These new findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago, and interestingly, they identify one societal group that is most at risk. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classes alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen. It has been linked to at least six types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, colon, and breast. And even moderate drinking increases cancer risk, reported The Mirror. But the public appear to remain unaware of the serious dangers associated with drinking alcohol. A 2024 report from the American Association for Cancer Research found that while over 5 per cent of all cancer cases are linked to alcohol, 51 per cent of Americans are unaware of this connection. While alcohol-related cancer deaths among women rose just 8 per cent from 1990-2021, men experienced a staggering 56 per cent increase, and men aged 55 and older was found to be the group at the highest risk. 'It wasn't surprising that the rates were higher in men, but the magnitude of the difference was unexpected,' said lead author Dr. Chinmay Jani, chief fellow of hematology and oncology at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, in an interview with NBC News. Researchers suggest this gender gap may be due to men starting to drink at earlier ages, allowing alcohol's long-term carcinogenic effects to accumulate over time. 'The impact of alcohol may not be immediate, but with age and continued consumption, its cancer-causing potential builds up,' Jani explained. Health officials are now pushing for stronger warning labels on alcoholic beverages and expanded public education campaigns. 'We need to raise awareness of this link — not only among the public but also within the medical community,' Jani emphasised. 'People are well-informed about tobacco and cancer, but alcohol is often overlooked.' Cancer Research UK has also recently conducted analysis on UK skin cancer data, which suggests that the way people dress when they're in the sun could be influencing where they get the most serious form of skin cancer- melanoma. Data from 2018 to 2021 shows that 40 per cent of melanomas in men were diagnosed on the torso (the back, chest and stomach) – more than any other part of the body. That translates to around 3,700 cases of skin cancer every year. In women, the most common area was the lower limbs (from the hips to the feet). More than a third of women's melanomas were diagnosed in this area- around 3,200 cases a year. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
More dying from drinking booze than ever - and one group is most at risk
Alcohol-related cancer deaths have nearly doubled over the past three decades, and according to new research, one part of the population is significantly more at risk A new study has revealed a troubling rise in alcohol-related cancer deaths. According to the research, these deaths have nearly doubled across the United States — from 12,000 in 1990 to over 23,000 in 2021. The findings, set to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago, identify one part of the population as being most at risk. Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and has been linked to at least six types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. Even moderate drinking increases cancer risk, challenging the common belief that light alcohol use is safe. Despite the evidence, public awareness remains low. A 2024 report from the American Association for Cancer Research found that while over 5% of all cancer cases are linked to alcohol, 51% of Americans are unaware of this connection. While alcohol-related cancer deaths among women rose just 8% during the above period, men experienced a staggering 56% increase, and men aged 55 and older are the most vulnerable group. 'It wasn't surprising that the rates were higher in men, but the magnitude of the difference was unexpected,' said lead author Dr. Chinmay Jani, chief fellow of hematology and oncology at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, in an interview with NBC News. Researchers suggest this gender gap may be due to men starting to drink at earlier ages, allowing alcohol's long-term carcinogenic effects to accumulate over time. 'The impact of alcohol may not be immediate, but with age and continued consumption, its cancer-causing potential builds up,' Jani explained. In light of the data, health officials are pushing for stronger warning labels on alcoholic beverages and expanded public education campaigns. 'We need to raise awareness of this link — not only among the public but also within the medical community,' Jani emphasised. 'People are well-informed about tobacco and cancer, but alcohol is often overlooked.' Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK has conducted analysis on UK skin cancer data, which suggests that the way people dress when they're in the sun could be influencing where they get melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer. Data from 2018 to 2021 shows that 40% of melanomas in men were diagnosed on the torso (the back, chest and stomach) – more than any other part of the body. That translates to around 3,700 cases of skin cancer every year. In women, the most common area was the lower limbs (from the hips to the feet). More than a third of women's melanomas were diagnosed here – around 3,200 cases a year.
