A recent study analyzing decades of U.S. data suggests that even moderate daily alcohol consumption can significantly increase the risk of dying from nine distinct types of cancer. The research, which examined information from the Global Burden of Disease Study, found that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the United States more than doubled between 1990 and 2023.
According to the findings, alcohol was linked to deaths from breast, prostate, colon, rectal, stomach, pancreatic, liver, head, and neck cancers. Researchers noted that as little as one standard drink per day—defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits—could contribute to this elevated risk.
Trends in Alcohol-Related Cancer Deaths
The study revealed that alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. climbed from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023. While older adults, particularly men, bore a higher burden of these deaths, the research also highlighted concerning trends in specific cancer types. Deaths from colorectal and esophageal cancers attributed to alcohol were increasing at a faster rate than cancer deaths overall.
Heavy drinking showed a particularly strong correlation with esophageal cancer, with more than three drinks daily linked to at least four times the risk observed in non-drinkers. Previous research has also established a connection between heavier drinking in early adulthood and middle age and a higher likelihood of developing colorectal cancer later in life, including early-onset cases.
Colorectal cancer, once primarily considered a disease affecting older populations, is now rapidly increasing among younger Americans. Approximately one in five diagnoses now occurs in individuals under 55, and many cases are detected at advanced stages. The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for Americans under 50, with rates rising about 1% annually since 2004. This trend stands in contrast to other major cancers, which have seen declining mortality rates among younger demographics in recent years.
Shifting Public Perception
Public awareness regarding the health risks of alcohol appears to be growing. Recent Gallup polling indicates that a majority of U.S. adults, 51%, now believe that consuming one or two alcoholic drinks daily is detrimental to their health. This marks the second consecutive year a majority has held this view, a significant shift from 25 years ago when only 27% considered moderate drinking harmful.
Currently, only 6% of Americans view moderate drinking as beneficial, while 40% believe it has no impact on health. Among those who do consume alcohol, the average American reported drinking 3.2 beverages per week in 2026. These findings emerge as the American Cancer Society estimates that over 2.1 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, with more than 626,000 expected fatalities.