Does drinking alcohol increase cancer risk? 5 types of cancer linked to alcohol as U.S. surgeon general urges increased awareness of link

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Following the holidays, many people are opting out of consuming alcohol by participating in Dry January. And while the benefits of curbing alcohol consumption are plentiful, the U.S. surgeon general is taking the conversation one step further. In a Jan. 3 statement, Dr. Vivek Murthy announced the release of a new advisory to raise awareness of the link between alcohol consumption and increased risk of cancer.

“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” said Murthy. “This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”

Murthy’s advisory calls for an update to the health warning label on alcohol to include cancer risk, as well as a reassessment of alcohol consumption limits in light of data that increases cancer risk.

In January 2024, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction released new Guidance on Alcohol and Health, updating the 2011 Low Risk Drinking Guidelines. The final report indicated no amount of alcohol is safe, and consuming more than two drinks per week is risky.

According to the guidelines, three to six drinks a week increases the risk of developing certain cancers, including colorectal and breast cancer. More than seven drinks a week also ups your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Studies have shown cancer is linked to a variety of risk factors, such as genetics, diet and exercise. However, lifestyle factors also play a role, where drinking alcohol has been linked to multiple types of cancer including breast, colon, esophageal, liver and mouth.

How certain foods and beverages are linked to cancer

Substances known as carcinogens have been scientifically proven to cause or contribute to the development of cancer.

Carcinogens can be found in our environment, in chemicals and substances we come in contact with, and are found in the food and drinks we consume.

Certain foods like red meat and processed meats are considered carcinogenic. Additionally, sugary drinks have been indirectly linked to cancer because they contribute to weight gain, which is a risk factor for the condition.

Alcohol is considered a group one carcinogen and a significant contributor to the development of cancer.

Canadian guidelines for drinking

While previous advice set out by Canada's low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines indicated that women should have no more than 10 drinks a week and men should stick to no more than 15 drinks a week, the new guidelines indicate that more than two drinks a week can put you at a higher risk of developing cancer.

Five types of cancer linked to alcohol consumption

Below are five common cancers that have been scientifically linked to drinking alcohol.

1. Breast cancer

The link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer has not been unanimously defined.

However, the leading theory is that alcohol consumption contributes to estrogen circulation in women who have not yet undergone menopause, which is necessary for breast cancer to develop.

According to Cancer Care Ontario, females who have at least two drinks of alcohol per day increase their risk of developing breast cancer by up to 31 per cent compared to individuals who don't drink.

This risk is lowered to a 10 per cent increase in women who only drink one alcoholic beverage daily.

2. Colon cancer

Alcohol contributes to the development colon cancer through the creation of polyps. This happens when your body processes alcohol, which can damage colon cell DNA.

In 2020, a study by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer found that alcohol consumption was linked to 20 per cent of new colon cancer cases in Canada.

3. Esophageal cancer

Drinking alcohol can dramatically increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer.

A study from McGill University found that heavy drinkers increased their risk of esophageal cancer by seven times compared to non-drinkers.

The risk of developing esophageal cancer increases when combined with smoking tobacco.

4. Liver cancer

People are encouraged to avoid alcohol for their liver health, but are often unaware that drinking can contribute to alcohol-induced liver cancer and disease.

However, the link between alcohol and liver cancer has been defined as "probable" by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund because liver cirrhosis typically encourages people to stop drinking.

5. Mouth and throat cancers

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing mouth and throat cancers.

Aside from altering your DNA and affecting your hormonal balance, alcohol can alter your cellular makeup in this area of the body.

As a result, the cells of your mouth and throat may be more permeable to potential carcinogens.

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