Does Alcohol Cause Cancer? Here’s What the Research Says

Content medically reviewed by Harish Ahuja, MD

Most of us know that excessive drinking isn't a healthy choice, but we don't often discuss the ways alcohol consumption leads to an increased cancer risk.

The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory report detailing the ways alcohol can lead to specific cancers—and how few Americans realize this risk. In this report, the Surgeon General pointed out that 72% of U.S. adults drink once or more per week, but fewer than half of Americans know that alcohol can cause cancer. Learn why alcohol can be so damaging and understand how much is too much.

Types of Cancer Linked to Alcohol

"Cancer has many preventable risk factors, like smoking, unhealthy diets, and lack of activity," said Dr. Harish Ahuja, hematologist and oncologist at Essentia Health. "These general lifestyle factors impact many kinds of cancers, but there are a few that have been directly linked to alcohol."

Those cancers include –

• Breast
• Colorectal
• Esophageal
• Larynx
• Liver
• Mouth
• Throat

How Much Does Drinking Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer?

About 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths in the United States can be traced back to alcohol use. Some people, especially those who have low alcohol tolerance and tend to get facial flushing, may have an even higher risk of alcohol-related cancers.

Compared to nondrinkers, the effects of alcohol may make you:

• 80% more likely to develop mouth and throat cancer
• 50% more likely to develop colorectal cancer
• 40% more likely to develop larynx cancer
• 30% more likely to develop esophageal cancer
• 16% more likely to develop liver cancer
• 10% more likely to develop breast cancer

Why Does Drinking Alcohol Increase the Risk of Cancer?

Alcohol has long been known to be a carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer), and today, doctors and researchers have a clearer understanding of why this happens.

When you drink, alcohol directly touches your mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), and esophagus. Alcohol has a powerful cell-damaging effect, and alcohol also makes it easy for chemicals to penetrate these tissues. This causes an increased risk of inflammation and can damage your DNA.

Inflammation can disrupt your gut biome, make it difficult to absorb nutrients and trigger abnormal cell growth. These factors may lead to colorectal cancer[PD1] [JH2] —the third most common and second deadliest cancer worldwide.

Alcohol also interferes with the body’s ability to repair damaged DNA, divide healthy cells, and maintain hormonal balance. Specifically, alcohol is known to increase estrogen levels. This can increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

The liver filters out harmful substances like alcohol, but it can only handle so much. Long-term exposure to alcohol can overwork the liver and lead to chronic inflammation and scarring (also known as cirrhosis of the liver). This damage can increase your risk of developing liver cancer, especially if you have a pre-existing liver disease like hepatitis.

How Much Alcohol is Too Much?

According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. That said, if you choose to drink, learn the amounts of alcohol that are appropriate for you. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans currently defines moderate drinking as:

• Two drinks or less per day for men
• One drink or less per day for women

Heavy drinking is defined as five or more alcoholic beverages per day (or 15 per week) for men and four or more drinks per day (or eight per week) for women. Binge drinking refers to five drinks for men or four drinks for women, all consumed within about two hours.

Across the board, doctors agree that drinking less is better for your health.

Misunderstandings About Alcohol Consumption and Cancer

Myth: Only alcoholics are at risk of alcohol-related cancer.

Fact: Whether you drink only socially or you have an alcohol use disorder, drinking alcohol increases your risk of cancer. Drinking in moderation is a healthier choice than bingeing, but experts agree that no amount of alcohol is truly healthy.

Myth: If you have even one drink on a special occasion, you’re definitely going to get cancer.

Fact: Alcohol only increases your risk—it doesn’t guarantee health problems. The key is to make mindful choices about your long-term health. Get regular screenings and seek prompt cancer treatment if necessary, no matter what the cause.

Myth: There’s no cancer warning label on alcohol, so it doesn’t really increase cancer risk.

Fact: Alcohol containers already have some warning labels, but they don’t mention cancer specifically. Health officials understand the risk factors and have been pushing for more warnings for many years, but updating the labeling takes a lot of time and regulatory support.

Myth: Red wine is good for you, so it doesn’t count.

Fact: Some studies suggest that red wine has heart health benefits, but the truth is that all types of alcohol can cause cancer. One study showed that when it comes to cancer risks, drinking a bottle of wine per week is equivalent to smoking 5 to 10 cigarettes—and smoking is a leading cause of cancer.

Cutting Back Can Help

Alcohol-related cancer is preventable. There’s evidence that people who drink moderately (or not at all) live longer than heavy drinkers.

“Quitting alcohol altogether would be ideal for your health, but simply cutting back on your drinking can help reduce your risk of cancers, including breast cancer,” said Dr. Ahuja. “Less alcohol intake allows your body more of an opportunity to repair cell damage, reduce inflammation, and balance your hormones.”

In the Upper Midwest, drinking is often a part of our culture. It’s not just a stereotype—research from the CDC shows that our region drinks excessively more often than most of the country. If you choose to drink, do it mindfully. Understand that any amount of alcohol can increase your cancer risk and binge drinking is never a healthy choice.