US alcohol-related cancer deaths doubled over three decades

A 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 approximately 11,361 to 23,126 annually.

Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that the impact of alcohol extends beyond liver cancer. Among adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related death in men, while breast cancer was the primary cause in women. Other significant risks include esophageal, pancreatic, prostate, and head and neck cancers.

The research emphasizes that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Even a single standard drink per day can increase mortality risks. Alcohol acts as a carcinogen by damaging DNA through the production of acetaldehyde, altering hormone levels, and causing oxidative stress. 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.