A new study reveals that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the U.S. more than doubled from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023, according to research led by the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, analyzed 30 years of data from the Global Burden of Disease study.
Key trends identified include a disproportionate burden among older adults and men, with liver cancer as the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths in older men. Among women, breast cancer was the primary alcohol-attributable cancer. For adults aged 20–54, colorectal cancer emerged as the leading cause of alcohol-attributable deaths in men and the second leading cause in women.
While alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, public awareness of its cancer risks remains limited, researchers noted. The study also suggests that different types of alcoholic beverages—such as liquor, wine, and beer—may carry varying risk profiles despite similar alcohol content.
Demographic breakdown
- Older men (55+) saw the highest overall burden, with liver cancer as the top cause, followed by esophageal and colorectal cancers.
- Women overall experienced breast cancer as the leading alcohol-attributable cancer.
- Younger adults (20–54) faced colorectal cancer as the leading cause in men and the second leading cause in women.
The research underscores the need for greater public education on alcohol’s broader cancer risks beyond liver disease, including colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. The study’s authors emphasized that while the link between alcohol and liver cancer is well-established, its contributions to other cancer types are less widely understood.
Study limitations
Researchers acknowledged that the data relies on population-level estimates and may not capture individual variations in alcohol consumption patterns or genetic predispositions. The study also did not differentiate between types of alcohol in terms of risk stratification beyond general observations.
Public health implications
The findings highlight the importance of alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor in cancer prevention strategies. Public health experts suggest that reducing alcohol intake could lower cancer mortality rates, particularly in high-risk populations. The study does not advocate for abstinence but calls for greater awareness of alcohol’s carcinogenic effects across multiple cancer types.