In addition to potential social, professional, and other health-related harms, excessive alcohol use is a risk factor for multiple types of cancer. A new report reviews the link between alcohol and cancer, describes the components of alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) programs, and uses life course theory to consider the need for increased implementation of these programs with young adults. According to the authors, young adulthood (ages 18 – 44 years) presents a unique window for intervention, because it is the period in which past-year alcohol use and past-month binge drinking are highest. Previous studies have established a link between alcohol use and cancers of the breast, liver, colon, rectum, and esophagus. The article also reviews current dietary guidelines and recommendations for lower-risk alcohol consumption and data on the current prevalence of excessive drinking in the U.S. The authors also describe the evidence for the effectiveness of alcohol SBI, its components (including validated screening tools), and CDC guidelines for implementing alcohol SBI as part of a routine practice. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends alcohol SBI as a grade B clinical preventive service and it is covered by most insurance policies. Data on the prevalence of alcohol SBI implementation suggest it is underutilized: Among a representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18 to 24 years, only 36% of those who reported drinking or being drunk more than six times in one month to their physicians were asked to reduce their drinking. One study of college students found awareness of the link between alcohol and various cancers ranged from 86% for liver cancer to only 3% for breast cancer. Other evidence suggests health care providers may be able to effectively educate patients on the harms of excessive alcohol consumption.

Take away: Alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) is an evidence-based clinical preventive service that is currently underutilized. The authors argue health care providers should implement alcohol SBI with young adults in order to reduce future risk of cancer.

Citation: McNight-Eily LR, Henley SJ, Green PP, et al. (2017). Alcohol screening and brief intervention: A potential role in cancer prevention for young adults American Journal of Preventive Medicine, S55-S62 doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.04.021