Alcohol consumption linked to rising cancer mortality and health risks

Recent research highlights a growing link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer mortality. A study published in The Lancet Regional Health–Americas by researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that cancer deaths attributable to alcohol in the United States rose from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023. This increase occurred even as general cancer mortality rates declined. Lead author Chinmay Jani noted that the percentage of cancer deaths linked to alcohol has risen by more than 58% in individuals aged 20 and older.

Beyond liver cancer, the research identified associations with colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. In men aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of alcohol-related death, surpassing liver cancer.

Complementary research from Brown University is challenging the long-held belief that moderate drinking is healthy. A study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research observed alterations in biomarkers related to circulatory, immune, and metabolic systems following even low to moderate alcohol intake. Researcher Mollie Monnig stated that recent epidemiological evidence suggests no amount of alcohol promotes better health, noting that alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable cancers in the U.S. and a contributing factor to dementia.