April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which seeks to improve public understanding of issues ranging from alcohol abuse to impaired driving. It’s also a good time to be aware of the potential cancer risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
In January 2025, an advisory from the Office of the Surgeon General warned that alcohol increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer. Some studies have also suggested an increased risk of other types of cancer associated with drinking alcohol.
With summer approaching — a time when nicer weather, holidays, and get-togethers often lead to more social drinking — it’s important to understand the connection between alcohol and cancer. By doing so, we can take proactive steps to adopt healthier habits.
How Alcohol Contributes to Cancer
Alcohol has long been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer — putting it in the same category as asbestos and tobacco. This is because our bodies break down alcohol into a toxic chemical called acetalaldehyde, which can damage DNA and increase the possibility of uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.
Alcohol can contribute to the risk of cancer in other ways as well. These include producing free radicals during metabolism that can damage DNA or other cellular components, elevating the risk of breast cancer by increasing estrogen levels in women, acting as a solvent that makes it easier for other carcinogens to enter the body’s cells, and impairing the absorption of essential nutrients that strengthen cells and protect against cancer.
Cancers that develop as a result of alcohol consumption are most likely to affect the following parts of the body:
- Mouth
- Throat
- Larynx (voice box)
- Esophagus
- Breast (in women)
- Liver
- Colon and rectum
Some studies have also suggested that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of cancers affecting the stomach, pancreas, and prostate.
Factors that Increase the Risk of Alcohol-Related Cancers
While any level of alcohol consumption carries some risk of alcohol-related cancers, certain factors can significantly increase this risk.
The amount and frequency of drinking is the most significant factor affecting cancer risk. The more alcohol a person drinks over time, the more at risk they are of developing cancer. What constitutes “excessive drinking” will vary based on a person’s physical attributes and health, but is generally defined as more than one standard drink per day for women and two standard drinks per day for men.
A standard drink is defined as 1.5 fluid ounces of distilled spirits (which contain about 40% alcohol) or five fluid ounces of wine (which contains about 12% alcohol). Twelve fluid ounces of beer is a standard drink when it contains about 5% alcohol, although it should be noted that certain IPAs and other types of beer have a significantly higher alcohol content.
The risk of developing cancer as a result of alcohol consumption can also be affected by:
- Smoking: The combination of smoking and drinking significantly elevates the risk of several concerns, particularly head and neck cancers and esophageal cancer. The effects are often synergistic, meaning the combined risk is greater than the sum of the individual risks.
- Diet and Nutrition: Since alcohol can impede nutrient uptake, the carcinogenic effects of drinking can be worsened by poor dietary habits.
- Overall Health: Individuals with pre-existing liver conditions or health issues, or genetic variations that affect how their bodies process alcohol, may be at higher risk.
- Gender: Women tend to be more susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of alcohol at lower levels of consumption compared to men, possibly due to differences in body size, metabolism, and hormone levels.
Risk Reduction Strategies
By making informed choices about alcohol consumption, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing alcohol-related cancers. Here are some strategies you can adopt:
- Avoid alcohol altogether: Since all alcohol consumption comes with some increased cancer risk, complete sobriety is the only guaranteed way to avoid alcohol-related cancers.
- Moderate your drinking: If you do choose to drink, moderate your intake to no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.
- Reduce drinking frequency: Consider having alcohol-free days during the week, or “dry” periods where you completely stop drinking.
- Understand standard drink sizes: Make sure the drinks you are consuming are within the standard drink sizes and alcohol content levels.
- Avoid binge drinking: Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time is particularly harmful and can increase cancer risk.
- Adopt other healthy habits: A nutritious diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking can all improve your health and reduce your overall cancer risk.
- Talk to your doctor: If you have concerns about your alcohol consumption or your risk of alcohol-related cancer, talk to your doctor. They can provide personalized advice and support.
