Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with a heightened risk of six distinct cancer types, as highlighted in a recent national cancer progress report. In 2019, approximately 1 in 19 cancer cases were linked to alcohol intake, yet over half of Americans remain unaware of this connection, according to Dr. Amy Comander, medical director at Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Dr. Comander emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. The latest report from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) identifies alcohol use as the third leading modifiable risk factor for cancer, following smoking and obesity. Alcohol consumption elevates the risk for the following six cancer types: - Certain head and neck cancers - Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma - Breast cancer - Colorectal cancer - Liver cancer - Stomach cancers
Rising Alcohol Consumption Correlates with Increased Cancer Diagnoses Among Younger Americans
Researchers suggest that the rise in alcohol consumption may contribute to the growing number of cancer cases in younger Americans.a
A recent study examining adults born in the United States from 1920 to 1999 revealed that cancer incidence rates have escalated in progressively younger generations, particularly among Generation X and Millennials. This trend was observed in 17 out of 34 cancer types, including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers (with colorectal cancer classified as a gastric cancer). Additionally, mortality rates for several cancer types have also risen.
Concurrently, alcohol consumption in the United States has generally increased over the past two decades. While fewer adolescents and young adults are engaging in drinking, there is a notable rise in alcohol intake and binge drinking among midlife adults, particularly women.
The report's authors warn that these trends may lead to long-term health implications.
Dr. Bubu Banini, a member of the Yale Cancer Center and associate director of the Clinical and Translational Core at the Yale Liver Center in New Haven, Connecticut, notes that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with over 200 different diseases.
“These include various malignancies, as well as liver disease, heart disease, reproductive issues, kidney disease, brain damage, and cognitive impairments, among others,” she explains.
Alcohol can elevate the risk of cancer through various mechanisms, according to Dr. Banini. She explains that the body metabolizes alcohol into acetaldehyde, which can harm cells and disrupt their repair processes. When cells attempt to mend this damage, errors may occur in their DNA, potentially resulting in cancer.
Additionally, alcohol consumption can heighten oxidative stress, which contributes to cellular damage and further increases cancer risk, she notes.
Dr. Comander adds that alcohol may also raise cancer risk by hindering the body's ability to absorb essential nutrients, such as vitamin A, B vitamins, folate, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and carotenoids.
No Level of Alcohol Consumption Is Beneficial for Your Health
Previously, some experts suggested that light to moderate alcohol consumption, such as enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner, could be beneficial. However, recent scientific findings have shifted this perspective.
Health authorities, including the World Health Organization, now assert that no amount of alcohol is considered safe. Banini concurs with this view.
“When it comes to alcohol, there is no safe level, and it is advisable to avoid it altogether. Research indicates that even a single drink per day can elevate breast cancer risk in women compared to those who abstain from alcohol, along with increasing the likelihood of various other health issues,” she explains.
Women who consume three alcoholic beverages weekly face a 15 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to non-drinkers. Furthermore, experts suggest that the risk increases by 10 percent for each extra drink consumed daily. “Individuals who do not currently drink should refrain from starting for any reason. This is particularly important in the context of the ongoing obesity epidemic, as the combination of alcohol and obesity significantly heightens cancer risk,” Banini adds.
The recent AACR report presents a significant opportunity to enhance public understanding of the cancer risks linked to alcohol consumption, according to Michael Pignone, MD, MPH, a primary care physician at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina, during a congressional briefing on the findings.
Dr. Pignone emphasized that primary care physicians generally fall short in addressing unhealthy alcohol use and in providing effective treatments for alcohol use disorder, indicating a need for improvement in this area.
During the press conference, various speakers explored potential methods for raising awareness about the health dangers of alcohol and reducing its consumption. These strategies included the implementation of warning labels and the introduction of higher prices or additional taxes on alcoholic beverages.