How Alcohol Raises Your Cancer Risk: What You Need to Know

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently released a 2025 advisory advocating for cancer risk warnings to be added to alcoholic beverage labels. Shown here is a photo of the current government warning label, which has been mandated on alcoholic beverages for over 30 years.

NB360 - Approximately 90% of U.S. adults recognize that radiation and tobacco are linked to an increased cancer risk, but only 45% are aware that alcohol is connected to the disease.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently issued a 2025 advisory highlighting the dangers of alcohol consumption in relation to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, breast, liver, and colorectal regions.

The more frequently a person drinks, the higher their cancer risk becomes. This increased risk also applies to beverages with higher alcohol content.

Dr. Mohammad Christi, a hematologist and oncologist at Corewell Health, stated that the risk has been downplayed in the U.S., leading to an uninformed public. Recent studies over the past decade have reinforced previous suspicions in the health industry.

“Primary care physicians and the community must prioritize reducing alcohol consumption and promote education, as it is significantly lacking,” Christi said.

“Discussing the link between alcohol and increased cancer risk in a clinical setting can enhance survival rates.”

The Surgeon General’s report cited a global analysis of 572 studies involving data from 486,538 cancer cases. The findings consistently supported alcohol’s association with higher cancer risk.

But why is alcohol harmful?

Alcohol metabolizes into acetaldehyde, which can damage DNA in the body and increase the risk of cancerous cell growth.

It also causes oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and potential damage to DNA, proteins, and cells, and alters levels of various hormones including estrogen, which affects breast cancer risk.

Additionally, alcohol enhances the absorption of carcinogens, so combining tobacco and alcohol can further elevate the risk of developing cancer.

In the U.S., there are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths annually, according to the Surgeon General’s report. This exceeds deaths from alcohol-related traffic accidents (around 13,500 per year).

The risk is present for all drinkers, but studies indicate it is higher for women. Christi noted this is likely due to alcohol’s effect on estrogen levels, potentially triggering breast cancer.

The Surgeon General suggests updating health warnings on alcoholic beverages to raise awareness about alcohol-related risks. It referenced an experiment in Canada where warning labels led to a 10% increase in knowledge about the alcohol-cancer link within two months.

Countries like Ireland and South Korea also include such warnings on alcoholic beverages.

Whether to revise the current government warning on alcoholic beverages is a decision for Congress. The label has remained unchanged since 1988.

“I’m unsure why it hasn’t been labeled as a risk,” Christi said. “More studies are continually providing new information.”

One myth dismissed by the Southeast Michigan doctor is that a glass of red wine per day is beneficial for heart health.

“That’s outdated,” Christi stated. “While controversial, there’s more evidence of harm than benefit.”

He advised that better heart health practices include dietary changes, exercise, and consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Regarding alcohol consumption, he suggested reducing both the amount and frequency as a good strategy to lower cancer risk.