Deaths from multiple cancers linked to alcohol consumption have doubled in the United States over the past three decades, with a notable increase among adults under 55, according to a new study. The research, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, analyzed 33 years of health data from 1990 to 2023.
Researchers found that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the U.S. rose from approximately 11,400 in 1990 to over 23,100 in 2023, representing a 103 percent increase. The study examined ten different cancer types: esophageal, stomach, liver, larynx, breast, prostate, colorectal, lip and oral cavity, pharynx, and pancreatic.
Experts suggest that when the body metabolizes alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can damage healthy cells and create an environment conducive to cancer cell growth. Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is substantial evidence linking it to cancer development.
While alcohol's connection to liver cancer is well-established, the study highlights its increasing association with other cancers, which may be less understood by the public. "The most surprising finding was the breadth of alcohol’s potential impact across cancer types," said Dr. Chinmay Jani, lead author of the study and a fellow at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. "Although its relationship with liver cancer is widely recognized, its contribution to cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer is less well understood by the public."
Cancer Trends by Age and Sex
Among adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal and breast cancers were identified as the leading alcohol-related cancer deaths. Esophageal, prostate, and pancreatic cancers also showed significant increases in this age group. For men in this age bracket, colorectal cancer was the primary cause of alcohol-related death, followed by esophageal cancer. For women aged 20 to 54, breast cancer led, with colorectal cancer as the second leading cause.
Across all age groups, liver cancer remained a leading cause of alcohol-related death, especially in men. However, the study noted substantial increases in alcohol-related deaths from other cancers, including stomach cancer (57 percent increase), pancreatic cancer (40.5 percent), and colorectal cancer (39.7 percent).
Geographic Variations and Public Health Implications
The study also examined state-level data, finding that Washington D.C. had the highest rate of alcohol-related cancer deaths for both sexes in 2023. Texas recorded the highest rate for men, and Alaska for women. Utah had the lowest rate, which researchers suggested might correlate with the state's consistently low alcohol consumption.
Dr. Gilberto Lopes, a senior author of the study and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasized the importance of public awareness. "What this study makes clear is that alcohol-related cancer risk is not limited to one disease or one group of people," Lopes stated. "As physicians and cancer researchers, we have an opportunity to help patients understand that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor and that even small, informed changes can be part of a broader strategy to reduce cancer risk in our community."
Researchers stressed that increasing public awareness about alcohol's link to various cancers, beyond liver disease, is crucial. They noted that while the lowest safe dose of alcohol is not yet definitively known, reducing consumption could be a key strategy for lowering cancer risk and improving overall health.