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The fact that alcohol is a carcinogen is well known among clinicians, researchers, and the public health community. But does the general public understand this risk as well? In this cross-sectional study, researchers surveyed 6800 U.S. adults in 2024 about their beliefs regarding the effects of alcohol on cancer risk (see ).
Only 37% of respondents believed alcohol use increased risk for cancer; the rest stated no effect (9%) or lower risk (1%) or were not sure (53%).
Recent alcohol use was associated with higher odds of believing alcohol had no effect on cancer risk.
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A public health messaging tussle has unfolded in the past year about risks associated with alcohol: Competing messages from the U.S. Surgeon Gene…