We all know that cancer is becoming more and more common these days.  Many people have heard of some of the more common risk factors associated with cancer.  What people may not be aware of is a recently identified risk factor for cancer that has been shown to dramatically increase risk for cancer in both men and women.  So what is it?  Well, it might surprise you.

In a recent study published in April 2013 in The American Journal of Public Health entitled "Alcohol-Attributable Cancer Deaths and Years of Potential Life Lost in the United States" it identified alcohol consumption as a major risk factor behind certain types of cancer. You read that right, drinking alcohol increases your risk for cancer.  More specifically, they reported that alcohol consumption resulted in around 20,000 cancer deaths each year, or around 3.5% of all cancer deaths.  These numbers should shock you.  We aren't just talking about a handful of incidents here. We are talking about a large percentage of cancers attributed to alcohol consumption.

I know at this point many people are going to immediately claim that they only drink in moderation or occasionally, but the truth is that this study concluded that "there is no safe threshold for alcohol and cancer risk." I hate to ruin the party, but alcohol is not good for our health. Despite what studies have claimed about all the "heart healthy" benefits of red wine and resveratrol (which to get you would need to drink far, far more than one glass of wine per night anyway) the cancer risks in this situation far outweigh any possible benefits.

So now what?  Does this mean that drinking is out of the question?  To be honest I think that is going to have to be a judgement call on your part.  Simply knowing the risk factors associated with cancer may or may not change certain peoples' behaviors.  But at least the information has been presented.  If you are considering giving up alcohol or at least reducing your intake, let this be one more great reason for you in your decision.