How Alcohol Can Increase Your Risk of Cancer
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Many people know that smoking causes cancer, but not everyone is aware that alcohol can also raise the risk of developing cancer. A recent advisory from the US Surgeon General in 2025 recommended stronger warnings on alcoholic beverages and more conversations between doctors and patients about alcohol’s link to cancer. This article explains what you need to know.
What Types of Cancer Are Linked to Alcohol?
Alcohol is linked to several types of cancer. These include:
- Mouth and throat cancer
- Voice box (larynx) and esophagus cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer (colon and rectum)
- Liver cancer
In 2020, alcohol was responsible for more than 740,000 cancer cases worldwide. In the US, it is the third most common cause of preventable cancer, after smoking and obesity.
How Does Alcohol Cause Cancer?
When your body processes alcohol, it turns into a harmful substance called acetaldehyde. This can damage your DNA, making it harder for cells to repair themselves. This increases the risk of cancer over time.
Alcohol also:
- Causes inflammation in the body
- Raises estrogen levels, which increases breast cancer risk
- Makes it easier for other cancer-causing substances, like those in cigarettes, to damage your body
- Disrupts your immune system and gut health
For people of East Asian descent, a common genetic variation called ALDH2*2 makes it harder to break down acetaldehyde. These individuals are more sensitive to alcohol’s harmful effects and may face a higher cancer risk even with low alcohol intake.
Does the Amount You Drink Matter?
Yes. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your cancer risk. Even small amounts may raise the risk for some cancers, especially breast cancer.
The US defines one standard drink as:
- 12 oz of beer
- 5 oz of wine
- 1.5 oz of distilled spirits
According to US guidelines, moderate drinking means up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. Drinking more than this regularly is considered heavy drinking.
Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe?
This is where it gets complicated. Some studies suggest that even low levels of alcohol can increase cancer risk, especially for breast and colorectal cancers. A 2025 review found that even one drink a day could raise the risk of breast cancer in women by 10 percent.
Other studies have found that even very light drinking may increase the risk of mouth, throat, and esophagus cancers. However, the exact level of risk can vary between studies due to differences in study design, populations, and how drinking habits are measured.
Who Should Be Extra Careful?
Some people may face higher cancer risks from alcohol than others. These include:
- People who smoke
- People with a family history of alcohol-related cancer
- People with liver disease
- Those who flush after drinking alcohol (a sign of ALDH2*2 gene variant)
For these individuals, avoiding alcohol altogether or drinking much less than the recommended limits may be safer.
What Can You Do?
If you drink alcohol, consider the following tips to lower your cancer risk:
- Stick to the recommended limits (1 drink per day for women, 2 for men)
- Take regular alcohol-free days each week
- Don’t binge drink (5 or more drinks in one session)
- Talk to your doctor if you find it hard to cut back
Doctors can screen for unhealthy drinking using a simple question and offer brief advice. For those with alcohol use disorder, treatments like counseling and medications (such as naltrexone or acamprosate) are available and effective.
Final Thoughts
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of several types of cancer. The more you drink, the higher your risk, but even small amounts may not be risk-free. Being aware of these risks and making informed choices can help protect your long-term health. If you are concerned about your alcohol use, talk to a healthcare provider for guidance.