Key points
- Alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. have doubled over the past 30 years, rising from nearly 12,000 in 1990 to over 23,000 in 2021
- Men and adults over 55 are disproportionately affected
- Experts are calling for greater awareness of alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, similar to tobacco
ISLAMABAD: Alcohol associated cancer deaths have doubled in the United States over the past three decades, disproportionately impacting men and people 55 and older, according to a new, yet to be published, study being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual conference this week.
According to ABC News, the analysis of national death rates attributable to alcohol use between 1990 to 2021 found a significant increase from 11,896 to 23,207 deaths.
Drinking alcohol can cause several types of cancer. To learn more about the research linking alcohol use and the risk of cancer, check out our fact sheet. https://t.co/QtvnhlMMFA
#CancerPrevention #AlcoholAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/NRiT1aq2qu
— National Cancer Institute (@theNCI) April 3, 2025
“We already know other risk factors, such as tobacco, for cancer,” said Dr Chinmay Jani, the study’s lead author and a clinical fellow in hematology and oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. “However, it is very important to know that alcohol is also a risk factor and can be a carcinogen in many different cancers.”
We already know other risk factors, such as tobacco, for cancer.” – Dr Chinmay Jani, study’s lead author
As the study pointed out, any amount of alcohol has the potential to harm health. It does not necessarily mean that you are drinking every day, Jani explained.
The study relied on self-reported drinking habits, which can have some inaccuracies, but researchers used statistical methods to help correct for that.
Cancer risk warning labels recommended
In January, the US surgeon general issued an advisory linking alcohol use to seven cancers, including breast and colorectal. The advisory recommended adding cancer risk warning labels to alcoholic beverages.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified alcohol as a Group-1 carcinogen, with evidence linking its use to cancers of the liver, breast, colorectal, esophagus, larynx, mouth and throat. Scientists are still working to understand how alcohol causes cancer at the biological level.
Deaths attributable to alcohol use rose by 70.2 per cent in men and 15.2 per cent in women, the study found. Men may be at higher risk because they start drinking at an earlier age and are more likely to engage in risky alcohol behaviours. Biological differences may also make them more vulnerable, Jani said.
The study uncovered some statewide differences, with the highest alcohol associated death rates reported in Washington, DC, and the lowest in Utah, likely reflecting regional alcohol consumption patterns.
Liver cancer most serious risk
Liver cancer emerged as the most serious risk related to alcohol use, especially in those 55 and older. Even low to moderate levels of alcohol consumption can increase liver cancer risk in those with other conditions like obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol.
“When people are drinking at a younger age, it starts accumulating in your body and then you have manifestations in elderly age, these things we are not aware of when we are young and drinking alcohol, usually more frequently,” Jani explained.
Dr Gilberto Lopes, the chief of medical oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the study’s authors, stressed the critical need for targeted prevention efforts and public health policies to raise awareness about the serious health risks posed by alcohol.
When people are drinking at a younger age, it starts accumulating in your body and then you have manifestations in elderly age.” – Dr Chinmay Jani, study’s lead author
“We hope that our study will help educate the public on the impact of alcohol on individual cancer risk,” he said.
Does alcohol drinking cause cancer?
According to a report by the US National Cancer Institute, there is strong scientific evidence that alcohol drinking can cause cancer.
Research suggests that the more alcohol a person drinks—particularly the more a person drinks regularly over time—the higher the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer. Even light drinking can modestly ⬆️ risk of some cancers-https://t.co/pDoo57rhRQ #AlcoholAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/zMmQGeYB1a
— National Cancer Institute (@theNCI) April 18, 2022
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) in 1987 due to sufficient evidence that it causes cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and liver in people. The National Toxicology Program has listed consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen in its Report on Carcinogens since the ninth edition, in 2000.
