Reduce Alcohol

Alcohol is a common part of social life for many, but its link to cancer is often underestimated or overlooked. Scientific research has firmly established that alcohol consumption increases the risk of several types of cancer, even at low to moderate levels.

Types of cancer linked

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it has been proven to cause cancer in humans. The cancers most strongly linked to alcohol include:

• Oral cavity cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Esophageal cancer (especially squamous cell carcinoma)
• Liver cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer (in women, even at low levels of alcohol intake)

The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed over time. There is no “safe” level of drinking when it comes to cancer risk, though drinking less is always better than drinking more.

How does alcohol cause cancer?

Alcohol itself isn’t the only issue. When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it turns into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that can:

• Damage DNA and interfere with the body’s ability to repair it
• Trigger inflammation, which plays a role in the development of cancer
• Increase levels of estrogen, a hormone associated with breast cancer
• Enhance the absorption of carcinogens, especially when combined with smoking

Facts

• In the United States, alcohol use is estimated to be responsible for around 5.6% of all cancers and 4% of all cancer deaths.
• A recent 2021 study published in The Lancet Oncology estimated that globally, 1 in 25 cancer cases is linked to alcohol.
• Even just one drink per day can significantly increase the risk of breast and colorectal cancer.

What can you do?

If you drink alcohol, here are some ways to reduce your cancer risk:

• Stick to the recommended guidelines: no more than 1 drink per day for women, and 2 for men (CDC).
• Try alcohol-free alternatives or limit drinking to special occasions.
• Discuss your drinking habits with your primary care provider, especially if you have other risk factors for cancer.