The Connection Between Alcohol and Cancer

If you enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer after work, you might not think much about cancer risk. But new research presented by Jackson Health System oncologists reveals a concerning trend: deaths from alcohol-associated cancers have doubled over the past three decades.

“In the 1990s, around 11,000 deaths were because of alcohol-associated cancer,” explains Dr. Chinmay Jani, chief fellow of hematology and oncology at Jackson Health System and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Fast forward to 2021, it was around 23,000. So, it doubled up, which is quite concerning.”

Dr. Jani presented this research at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference in Chicago, one of the world’s most prestigious cancer research gatherings. His findings highlight an urgent public health issue that many people aren’t aware of.

Understanding the Link Between Alcohol and Cancer

Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing several types of cancer. This isn’t a new discovery, but what’s alarming is how much alcohol’s role as a cancer risk factor has grown over recent decades.

“We used an online database called the Global Burden of Disease database,” Dr. Jani says. “We were able to look into eight cancers, and we saw that alcohol as a risk factor was proportionally increasing over the past two to three decades in all of those cancers.”

The connection between alcohol and cancer is backed by strong scientific evidence. The National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s official warnings all confirm that alcohol consumption is a causal factor in cancer development.

Which Cancers Are Linked to Alcohol?

Dr. Jani’s research examined several cancer types, with findings that surprised even medical experts. It’s important to note that all types of alcoholic drinks, including beer, wine, and liquor; increase cancer risk.

The increased cancer risk is linked to alcohol consumption in general, regardless of the type of alcoholic drink, including:

Liver cancer: This connection is well-known, but it remains one of the most serious alcohol-related cancers. Dr. Brett Fortune, chief medical officer of Miami Transplant Institute and a transplant hepatologist, explains how alcohol damages the liver over time, leading to inflammation, fatty deposits, scarring (fibrosis), and eventually cirrhosis; which significantly increases liver cancer risk.

Colorectal cancer: Research shows that moderate to heavy drinking increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 20 to 50 percent.

Breast cancer (in women): Even small amounts of alcohol can increase breast cancer risk in women. This is particularly important given that many women aren’t aware of this connection.

Head and neck cancers: This includes cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and esophagus. These cancers are especially concerning because alcohol can work synergistically with other risk factors like tobacco use. Alcohol use notably increases the risk of esophageal cancer, especially in men.

Colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer rates have been rising in younger adults; a trend that has puzzled researchers. Alcohol consumption appears to be one contributing factor to this alarming increase.

Why Does Alcohol Cause Cancer? The Science Explained

The ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) found in all alcoholic beverages is responsible for the carcinogenic effects associated with alcohol consumption. Alcohol found in beer, wine, and spirits can have a range of health effects, including short-term impacts on mood and judgment, as well as longer-term health effects that vary among individuals.

When you drink alcohol, your body breaks it down primarily in the liver. During this process, alcohol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that can damage DNA and interfere with the body’s ability to repair it. Both acetaldehyde and cell damage caused by alcohol can lead to genetic changes and damage to cells that increase the risk of cancer.

Alcohol can also impair the absorption of essential nutrients like folate, a B vitamin that helps the body make new cells and also protects against cancer, which can lead to DNA damage if deficient. These combined effects—DNA and cell damage caused by alcohol and nutrient deficiencies—help explain why alcohol is linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer.

How Alcohol Damages Your Body

Once alcohol is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, it’s primarily processed by the liver. According to Dr. Fortune, the liver can typically metabolize alcohol effectively in moderate amounts. However, when alcohol consumption exceeds the liver’s ability to process it, it can lead to significant cellular damage.

“Depending on the amount you’re consuming, the liver can normally filter alcohol and process it correctly,” Dr. Fortune said. “But if you exceed that rate, it leads to excessive cellular damage.”

Over time, this damage can lead to inflammation throughout the body and cause fat to accumulate in liver cells, a condition known as steatotic, or fatty liver disease. As steatotic liver disease progresses, scar tissue begins to form in the liver (fibrosis), which can eventually lead to cirrhosis, or severe scarring that permanently impairs liver function.

“Cirrhosis can lead to not only liver cancer, but also the development of liver failure and possible need for liver transplant,” Dr. Fortune said.

Why Women Face Higher Cancer Risk from Alcohol

If you’ve noticed that drinking guidelines recommend lower limits for women than men, there’s a biological reason.

“Females don’t have the same proportion of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is one of the enzymes that helps in breaking down alcohol into nontoxic components that can be drained out of our body,” Dr. Jani explains. “Females have it in lower proportion. And that’s the reason the guidelines say they should be having lower standard drinks.”

Breast Cancer Risk

Breast cancer risk increases with alcohol consumption, even at levels considered “moderate.” This is particularly concerning because many women who drink moderately may not realize they’re increasing their breast cancer risk.

Individual Differences in Cancer Risk

Not everyone responds to alcohol the same way.

Factors that influence your personal risk include:

• Gender: Women may be at higher risk due to differences in how their bodies process alcohol
• Ethnicity: Some populations metabolize alcohol differently due to genetic variations
• Age: Younger adults are experiencing rising rates of alcohol-associated colorectal cancer
• Genetics: Some people are more susceptible to alcohol-related DNA damage or mutations
• Overall health: Existing health conditions can increase the harmful effects of alcohol

What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk

While alcohol is a common part of many social gatherings, understanding its health risks can help you make informed choices about how much and how often you drink. Even small reductions in alcohol consumption can have a positive impact on your long-term health.

“Just be aware and try to reduce it,” Dr. Jani said. “Awareness is the first step.”

Understand What “Moderate Drinking” Really Means

Many people underestimate how much alcohol they consume because serving sizes are often larger than a standard drink.

Understanding what counts as one standard drink can help you better track your intake:

• 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol)
• 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol)

Keep in mind that restaurant and bar servings are often larger than the standard pour. A glass of wine at a restaurant may contain 8 to 10 ounces, which can equal nearly two standard drinks.

Consider Taking a Break from Alcohol

Whether it’s Dry January or any alcohol-free month, taking a break from alcohol can provide both immediate and long-term health benefits. Even a few weeks without alcohol can help reduce inflammation and improve liver health, giving your body a break and time to recover.

“Abstinence from alcohol allows you to reduce the inflammation in the liver,” Dr. Fortune said. “There’s less development of fat cells in the liver, and it allows the liver to regenerate because it’s a very regenerative organ.”

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Reducing alcohol consumption doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing commitment. Take it one day at a time by setting small, achievable goals that are manageable and sustainable – even those small goals can make lasting changes on your body.

“Instead of sustaining from alcohol for 31 days and being too hard on yourself, just start one day,” Dr. Jani said. “Even if you have a drink on day 12, it’s okay. Restart it and continue. The key is consistency rather than perfection.”

Talk to Your Doctor

If you’re concerned about your cancer risk or your relationship with alcohol, speak with your healthcare provider. They can:

• Assess your individual risk factors
• Provide personalized recommendations
• Connect you with resources if you need support reducing alcohol consumption
• Screen for early signs of alcohol-related health problems

When to Seek Medical Help

Contact a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Difficulty reducing or stopping alcohol use on your own
• Symptoms of liver problems (yellowing of skin or eyes, persistent abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue)
• Concerning changes in digestion or bathroom habits
• A family history of cancer, especially if combined with regular alcohol use

Early intervention can make a significant difference in preventing serious health problems.

Expert Cancer Care at Jackson Health System

At Jackson Health System and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, our oncology specialists provide comprehensive cancer prevention, screening, and treatment services.

If you have questions about your cancer risk or would like to discuss cancer screening options, our team is here to help.

For liver-related concerns, Miami Transplant Institute offers expert evaluation and treatment from experts who understand the complex relationship between alcohol use and liver health.

The information in this article is based on research presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference and interviews with Jackson Health System specialists. It is intended for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your individual health concerns.