Alcohol-related cancer deaths in the US more than double since 1990

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas reveals that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the United States more than doubled between 1990 and 2023, rising from 11,361 to 23,126 annually. Researchers from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami found that even a single standard drink per day can increase the risk of developing several types of cancer.

While the link between alcohol and liver cancer is well-established, the study highlights a broader impact across multiple cancer types, including breast, prostate, colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, stomach, and head and neck cancers. Notably, among adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer has overtaken liver cancer as the leading alcohol-attributable cause of death for both men and women.

In older populations (aged 55 and over), liver cancer remains the primary alcohol-related cause of death for men. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco smoke and asbestos. The findings suggest that while overall cancer mortality in the U.S. has declined, the proportion of deaths specifically linked to alcohol consumption has increased significantly over the last three decades.