In my perusal of Reddit's Science News, I have discovered this: "Alcohol is a significant contributor to cancer deaths in the US, say researchers". Awesome!
The news article is linked to this article from the American Journal of Public Health "Alcohol-Attributable Cancer Deaths And Years of Potential Life Lost In the United States."
The news article, to me seems geared for shock and awe, so I am dubious about its reflection of the study. However, I am not a subscriber to the American Journal of Public Health so I can only read the study's abstract.
The line from National Monitor that makes me so dubious? "Gallup poll found that Americans average approximately 4.2 drinks per week. However, the World Health Organization reported in March 2012 that adults in Europe average three standard alcoholic drinks per day." But the article continues to only report about Americans and their cancer rates tied with consumption of alcoholic beverages. Their linked source to the World Health Organization (WHO) shares some cancer and alcohol related information at least: "Cancer is proportionally higher in southern Europe, as consumption levels were considerably higher two decades ago and cancer often takes a long time to develop."
While I am certain, alcohol has some part to play in declining health, despite is wonderful mind altering properties after a long day of endless bull shit, I want to see a comparison study here. If the average European slings back three glasses of wine in a day, with a moderately to low mortality rate from alcohol attributable cancer (based on WHO 2004 numbers), what is in American alcohol that apparently ratchets up the death toll?
Why this question? Well, alcohol in moderation, like anything in moderation also has health benefits. If our journalists, and Scientists, are going to make a comparison to European drinking vs. American drinking, we should really compare quantity of the average drink, and then the components of that drink before we say that "oh it's the alcohol that causes the cancer for sure!" Does the original article touch on any of these things? It is hard for me to tell from just an abstract. But if there comes down a decree to make it harder for me to get alcohol but even easier to purchase a gun, I might have a few words to say about that.
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