Alcohol screening and brief intervention: a potential role in cancer prevention for young adults

Alcohol use is a common preventable cancer risk factor for young adults. It is linked to breast, liver, colon, mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus cancer. Some alcoholic drinks contain at least 15 carcinogens. This special article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine discusses alcohol screening and brief intervention and as well as looking at its role in the context of cancer prevention. It highlights that GP’s not only need to have a broad understanding of alcohol as a cancer risk factor but also detailed knowledged on the types of cancer it is associated with. Counseling by health care provides, such as GPs, can be instrumental in changing health-related behaviours. This has the potential to help young adults already at higher risk of cancer modify their behaviour around alcohol to reduce their risk.   Read the full article here.