Madison Reporter

Noelle LoConte, MD, has expressed support for a recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office regarding the increased cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption. Dr. LoConte, a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers, emphasized the importance of public health education and prevention efforts to reduce alcohol intake.

“Many (but not all) of the cancers that are associated with alcohol are gastrointestinal cancers, and that is the kind of cancers I treat,” LoConte stated. “I see the effect that these cancers have on people every time I am in clinic. Anything we can do to prevent cancer is meaningful and important.”

The advisory from the Surgeon General was issued in early January and underscores evidence linking alcohol consumption to at least seven types of cancer: breast (in women), colorectal, esophageal, voice box, liver, mouth, and throat. Alcohol ranks as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States. Even small amounts can increase cancer risk—by 16.5% for women having less than one drink a week and by 10% for men.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy highlighted this issue: “Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk.” He added that "this Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm."

The advisory suggests updating health warning labels on alcoholic products and revising consumption guidelines to reflect cancer risks. It also calls for more public education efforts involving healthcare providers discussing these risks with patients.

Dr. LoConte noted that while her patients understand alcohol's unhealthiness, many are unaware of how little it takes to raise their cancer risk significantly. In regions like the Midwest where drinking is culturally ingrained in social settings, she observed: “I think what may be more common is that patients don’t know how to be social and around their friends and family without alcohol,” adding that “non-alcohol associated communities are super important.”

LoConte has contributed as lead author on an American Society of Clinical Oncology statement addressing increased cancer risks linked to alcohol consumption which includes policy suggestions such as raising prices on alcoholic beverages and limiting sales points.

In her role at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement team, she collaborates with community partners across Wisconsin to educate people about mitigating preventable risks like those posed by alcohol.

“Look," she said reflecting on her deep roots in Wisconsin culture marked by high levels of drinking; "I’m very Wisconsin... improving our drinking culture will make our state better for all us but especially generations after us.”

Despite recognizing progress made through advisories like those from The Surgeon General's Office along with recommended policies therein being significant strides forward towards curbing incidences related specifically towards certain types aforementioned diseases caused directly due largely excessive habitual indulgence over time span considerable length lifetime still further work necessary ultimately bending curve downward trend overall numbers afflicted annually nationwide according opinion shared candidly herself saying simply put: “I’ve never shied away from challenge.”