Alcoholic beverages should carry a prominent warning label about the link between alcohol and cancer, according to the U.S. surgeon general.

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recommends an update to the warning labels currently on alcohol — but it will take an act of Congress to make it happen.

Vivek Murthy said alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, but most U.S. consumers remain unaware of this.

The U.S. Surgeon General’s call for cancer warnings on alcohol is being welcomed by some substance-misuse prevention advocates in New Hampshire. In an advisory issued last week, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called alcohol the “third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States,” contributing to around 20,000 cancer deaths each year.

Dr. Vivek Murthy said alcoholic beverages should carry cancer warnings to increase awareness that the drinks are a leading cause of preventable cancers.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said Friday that two alcoholic drinks a day increases the risk for seven types of cancer, calling for cancer warning labels on alcohol. Emily Leeming, who researches the gut microbiome, has tricks to get more fermented foods in her diet, including using kefir in clever ways.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is urging that alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, be labeled with warnings about their links

A new report from the US Surgeon General is suggesting alcoholic beverages should warn about a cancer risk. Corewell Health Oncologist Dr. Dana Zakalik explains the research, the risks, and what you can do.