It's fairly common knowledge that an occasional glass of red wine has been shown to boost heart health. Even beer has been linked to "some benefit against cardiovascular disease”, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. And, at least one study from the European Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests alcohol could reduce the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Before you pop a cork or tab and say, "Cheers, I'll drink to that!" there are risks you should be aware of. A growing body of evidence suggests a worrisome link between alcohol consumption and certain types of cancers.
How Does Alcohol Increase Cancer Risk?
Cancer occurs when changes develop within a cell's DNA. Some changes occur as a result of genetic factors, but other changes occur after the body is exposed to various substances that can contribute to the development of cancer. These are called carcinogens. Carcinogens do not always cause cancer, but they can make it easier for cancer to develop over time. For example, tobacco smoke is a carcinogen. Not every smoker will develop cancer, but they are all at a higher risk after exposure to the chemicals in cigarettes.
Alcohol raises cancer risk due to its ability to disrupt cell cycles, damage DNA, and increase inflammation. Alcohol also makes it easier for mouth cells to absorb carcinogens. Alcohol breaks down into a toxic chemical (acetaldehyde), which can damage DNA and proteins in the body, according to the National Cancer Institute.
If you drink alcohol, it’s not a certainty that you'll develop cancer. But, next to tobacco and obesity, alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, according to the US Surgeon General’s Advisory (2025).
Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk
According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol is related to the development of the following types of cancer:
- Breast cancer
- Mouth cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Throat (pharynx) cancer
- Voice box (larynx) cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colon and rectal cancers
Your risk of cancer will increase with the amount of alcohol consumed, but even low or moderate drinking can increase your risk for certain cancers, especially breast cancer. These are the cancers that alcohol is currently correlated with, but it is likely to increase the risk of being diagnosed with some other cancers, such as prostate cancer.
What Research Shows about Alcohol and Cancer
Less than half of Americans know alcohol raises cancer risk. Because awareness remains limited, the US Surgeon General has called for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverages to educate more consumers about the link between cancer and alcohol.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that in 2019, alcohol consumption resulted in 4% of all cancer deaths in the United States. The primary alcohol-related cancer diagnosis in women is breast cancer. In men, liver cancer and colorectal cancer are the most common alcohol-related cancers. One study published in the American Journal of Public Health came to the conclusion that "reducing alcohol consumption is an important and underemphasized cancer prevention strategy."
Another study performed on behalf of the Komen Foundation looked at nearly 100 breast cancer patients and concluded that consuming one or more alcoholic beverages per day increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Alcohol can raise your estrogen levels, which in turn can increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Alcohol drinkers were 11% more likely to develop breast cancer than non-drinkers.
For individuals who have already been treated for cancer, it is unclear if alcohol consumption increases the possibility of cancer recurrence or second cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, but it is possible. For patients who have had cancers of the larynx, head and neck, or liver, there is some evidence that suggests alcohol consumption should be limited due to the increased risk of dying.
What is Considered Safe Alcohol Use?
The American Cancer Society recommends drinking no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day for men and no more than 1 per day for women. These recommendations are in line with the amounts of alcohol shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Outlined by the American Cancer Society, one standard serving of alcohol is equal to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
The drink limit is lower for women because they typically have smaller bodies that tend to break down alcohol more slowly. The ACS does not recommend saving your week’s worth of drinks for 1 day of the week.
Reducing your alcohol intake may lower your cancer risk, and it’s never too late to make changes. If you or a loved one is struggling to control the amount of alcohol being consumed each day it may be best to seek assistance through a local organization. Here is a recent list of resources published for the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington areas.
