00                   HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11                                                                   
01 Proclaiming January 2025 to be Alcohol Cancer Awareness Month.                                                          
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03       WHEREAS alcohol consumption is the third leading modifiable cancer risk factor,                                 
04 following cigarette smoking and excess body weight; and                                                                 
05       WHEREAS, between 2013 and 2016, alcohol use accounted for an estimated 75,199                                 
06 cancer cases and 18,947 cancer deaths annually in the United States; and                                                
07       WHEREAS moderate alcohol consumption, defined as less than 1.5 drinks a day on                                  
08 average, is associated with a significant portion, between 26 and 35 percent, of cancer deaths;                         
09 and                                                                                                                     
10       WHEREAS alcohol contributes to cancer through various mechanisms, including the                                 
11 production of acetaldehyde, a carcinogen, induction of oxidative stress and inflammation,                               
12 disruption of folate absorption, and interference with estrogen pathways; and                                           
13       WHEREAS the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a                                 
14 Group I carcinogen; and                                                                                                 
15       WHEREAS, even light and moderate drinking, defined as up to one and up to two                                 
16 drinks a day, respectively, has been linked to increased risks for various cancers, including                           

01 breast, colorectal, oral cavity, pharynx, and esophageal cancer; and                                                    
02 WHEREAS, while some studies suggest moderate alcohol consumption may be                                             
03 associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to not drinking at all, recent                             
04 research, including Mendelian randomization studies, questions the validity of these findings;                          
05 and                                                                                                                     
06       WHEREAS Mendelian randomization studies, which reduce confounding factors,                                      
07 indicate that the supposed health benefits of moderate drinking may not be caused by alcohol                            
08 consumption itself; and                                                                                                 
09       WHEREAS the latest research, including Mendelian randomization studies, confirms                                
10 the association between alcohol consumption and certain cancers, highlighting the ongoing                               
11 health risks posed by alcohol consumption;                                                                              
12 BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature proclaims January 2025 to be                                         
13 Alcohol Cancer Awareness Month in the state; and be it                                                                  
14 FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature proclaims the first week                                           
15 of January 2025 to be a week to wear periwinkle, the official color of esophageal cancer                                
16 awareness, and to work to make residents of the state aware of the increased risk for various                           
17 cancers stemming from the consumption of alcohol; and be it                                                             
18 FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports and encourages                                            
19 all state employees and other residents of the state to support alcohol cancer awareness                                
20 efforts.