Alcohol-related cancer deaths in the United States have more than doubled over the past three decades, according to a recent study led by researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The research found that deaths from cancers linked to alcohol increased from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.
The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas and were also presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago.
Researchers Analyzed More Than 30 Years of Data
Researchers examined data covering more than three decades from the Global Burden of Disease study to identify changes in alcohol-attributable cancer deaths across the U.S.
Alcohol has long been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. However, researchers noted that public awareness of alcohol’s connection to cancer remains relatively low.
Chinmay Jani, M.D., corresponding author of the study and chief fellow in hematology and oncology at Sylvester, said one of the most notable findings was the wide range of cancers potentially associated with alcohol use.
While many people are aware of alcohol’s connection to liver cancer, its association with cancers including colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer is less widely understood.
Men and Older Adults Faced the Highest Overall Burden
The study found that older adults and men experienced the greatest overall number of alcohol-related cancer deaths.
Among older men, liver cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer mortality. Esophageal and colorectal cancers were also major contributors.
Among women overall, breast cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths.
Colorectal Cancer Stands Out Among Younger Adults
Among adults between 20 and 54 years old, colorectal cancer emerged as a particularly important concern.
For younger men, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths.
Among younger women, it ranked as the second-leading cause. In both younger men and women, colorectal cancer surpassed liver cancer in alcohol-attributable mortality.
Public Awareness of Alcohol and Cancer Remains Limited
Researchers said the findings could have important implications for public health education.
Although the dangers of tobacco use are widely recognized, awareness of alcohol as a cancer risk factor remains much lower.
The study suggests that people may benefit from understanding that alcohol can be associated with several different types of cancer rather than only liver disease.
Is There a Safe Level of Alcohol Consumption?
Researchers noted that no minimum completely “safe” level of alcohol consumption has been established.
Because of this, reducing alcohol intake may help lower long-term cancer risk.
However, the researchers also emphasized that the study has limitations.
It relied on existing national data rather than tracking individual participants over time. As a result, researchers could not determine each person’s exact alcohol consumption or fully account for other lifestyle factors that may influence cancer risk.
Therefore, the study demonstrates a strong association between alcohol use and cancer deaths, but it does not prove that alcohol directly caused every death included in the analysis.
It also cannot establish a specific amount of alcohol that can be considered completely safe.
Alcohol Is Considered a Modifiable Cancer Risk Factor
Gilberto Lopes, M.D., senior author of the study and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School, said the research shows that alcohol-related cancer risk is not restricted to a single cancer or demographic group.
Researchers emphasized that alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor, meaning people may be able to reduce their long-term risk through informed lifestyle changes.
Bottom Line
The study highlights a significant rise in alcohol-related cancer deaths in the United States, increasing from 11,361 deaths in 1990 to more than 23,000 in 2023.
Men and older adults faced the greatest overall burden, while breast cancer was the leading alcohol-related cancer among women and colorectal cancer emerged as a major concern among younger adults.
Although the research does not prove that alcohol directly caused every cancer death analyzed, the findings reinforce the importance of understanding alcohol as a potential cancer risk factor and suggest that reducing consumption may help lower long-term risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many cancer deaths in the U.S. are linked to alcohol?
The study estimated that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths increased from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.
2. Which cancers are associated with alcohol consumption?
Alcohol has been associated with several cancers, including liver, colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer.
3. Which alcohol-related cancer causes the most deaths among women?
Breast cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths among women overall in the study.
4. What was the leading alcohol-related cancer among younger adults?
Among adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in men and the second-leading cause in women.
5. Is there a safe amount of alcohol for avoiding cancer risk?
Researchers said no minimum completely safe level of alcohol consumption has been established. Drinking less may help reduce long-term cancer risk.