Mon Feb 17 10:00:31 UTC 2025: ## Alcohol-Related Cancers Surge in India, Prompting Calls for Warning Labels

**New Delhi, [Date]** – Health experts are raising alarm bells about the escalating number of alcohol-related cancers in India, echoing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent call for prominent cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages. According to leading oncologists, alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of over 20 types of cancer, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, breast (in women), and prostate (in men).

Dr. Puneet Garg, a Vascular Interventional Radiologist at Safdarjung Hospital, and Dr. Taraprasad Tripathy, an Assistant Professor at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, highlighted the dangers of alcohol’s carcinogenic effects. Alcohol metabolizes into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound damaging DNA and proteins, leading to cancerous mutations. Furthermore, alcohol hinders the absorption of essential nutrients crucial for cell health and cancer prevention.

A recent Lancet study estimates that alcohol was responsible for approximately 62,100 new cancer cases in India in 2020, representing a significant portion of the global burden of alcohol-attributable cancers (nearly 4%). This alarming statistic aligns with US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s recommendation for cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages to raise public awareness and encourage informed choices.

The experts emphasized the importance of early detection, noting that symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer. These can include persistent mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, unexplained bleeding, lumps, jaundice, and changes in breast tissue. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates, while late-stage diagnosis can lead to metastasis and organ damage.

Both doctors stressed the need for regular screenings, especially for high-risk individuals, and immediate medical attention for unusual symptoms. They concluded by emphasizing the WHO’s stance that no amount of alcohol is safe, urging individuals to reduce or eliminate consumption to mitigate the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers.

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