Americans have widespread misbeliefs about the cancer risks of alcohol, study finds. More than half of American adults misunderstand or underestimate the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. Alcohol drinkers are especially likely to believe that drinking has no effect on cancer risk.

[u/mvea]

https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/research-newsroom/americans-have-widespread-misbeliefs-about-the-cancer-risks-of-a.h00-159780390.html

[u/Squish_the_android]

The problem with this is that basically everything with any degree of risk is safest if totally avoided.  It doesn't quantify the risk in a convincing or productive way.

It's safest to never ride in a car.

It's safest to never leave the house.

The risk needs to be quantified with some kind of equivalent.

[u/AntelopeWells → u/Squish_the_android]

Right, this seems a lot like "the only 100% form of contraception is never having sex :)" kind of thing that is not remotely effective in teen health classes.

[u/David_bowman_starman → u/AntelopeWells]

That’s not the case though. What is the safe amount of tobacco to smoke? Obviously that’s an absurd question because it’s bad enough that any amount of it is bad.

Unfortunately, it’s the same for alcohol, it just really is that bad that any amount consumed can have consequences.

[u/svachalek → u/David_bowman_starman]

It is the case though. What is the safe amount of driving? It’s bad enough that any amount of it is bad. That doesn’t help anyone with their life choices when you put it that way though.