Alcohol-linked Cancer Deaths Soar Among Older Adults, Men
Alcohol-related cancer deaths in the United States have doubled over the past three decades, with a disproportionate impact on men and individuals aged 55 and older, according to a new study being presented at this week’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual conference.
The findings, based on an analysis of national mortality data from 1990 to 2021, reveal a troubling rise in alcohol-attributable cancer deaths, increasing from 11,896 in 1990 to 23,207 in 2021.
“We already know tobacco is a major cancer risk factor,” said Dr. Chinmay Jani, the study’s lead author and a clinical fellow in hematology and oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. “But it’s equally important to understand that alcohol is also a carcinogen, contributing to a wide range of cancers.”
The research highlights that no amount of alcohol is entirely safe when it comes to cancer risk. Even occasional or moderate consumption can cause harm, particularly in individuals with underlying health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
The study found that liver cancer was the most common alcohol-associated cancer, particularly among people over the age of 55.
According to the findings, alcohol-attributable cancer deaths rose by 70.2% among men and 15.2% among women during the 31-year study period. Experts suggest this gender disparity may stem from both behavioral and biological differences.
Men tend to begin drinking at younger ages and are more likely to engage in high-risk drinking behaviors. Additionally, physiological differences may make men more susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of alcohol.
State-by-state variations were also reported. Washington, D.C., had the highest rates of alcohol-related cancer deaths, while Utah recorded the lowest, a trend the researchers believe is likely influenced by regional patterns of alcohol consumption.
While the study relied in part on self-reported drinking habits—an approach known to include some inaccuracies—researchers employed statistical methods to mitigate data gaps and enhance the study’s accuracy.
The growing evidence of alcohol’s role in cancer has prompted national health leaders to respond.
In January, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory linking alcohol consumption to seven types of cancer, including breast and colorectal cancers. The advisory called for cancer warning labels on alcoholic beverages—a move echoed by many health experts.
Internationally, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the same category as asbestos, tobacco, and radiation. Alcohol has been conclusively linked to cancers of the liver, breast, colorectum, esophagus, larynx, mouth, and throat.
“When people start drinking in their youth, the damage accumulates over decades,” Dr. Jani explained. “Unfortunately, the consequences often only become apparent much later in life.”
Dr. Gilberto Lopes, chief of medical oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and co-author of the study, emphasized the urgent need for targeted public health campaigns and educational outreach.
“Our hope is that this research helps shift public understanding and informs policy to better address the hidden risks associated with alcohol,” Lopes said.