Daily Alcohol Consumption Linked to Increased Cancer Mortality Risk

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health indicates that consuming just one standard drink of alcohol every day can increase the risk of dying from several types of cancer. According to the research, the percentage of cancer deaths attributable to alcohol in people aged 20 and older has doubled over the last 33 years. The increased risk applies to cancers of the breast, prostate, colon, rectum, stomach, pancreas, and liver, as well as cancers of the head and neck.

Dr. Chinmay Jani, the study's first author, noted that among adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of alcohol attributable cancer mortality in men and the second leading cause in women. For women in this age group, the leading cause was alcohol related breast cancer. In the United States, a standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor.

The National Cancer Institute explains that alcohol contributes to cancer by altering hormone levels, such as estrogen, and by breaking down into acetaldehyde, a probable human carcinogen. This process can damage DNA, cause oxidative stress, and create inflammation. Additionally, alcohol weakens cells in the mouth and throat and interferes with the absorption of essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, and E.

Dr. Andrew Freeman, a cardiologist not involved in the study, stated that modern science shows there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption. The reports also note a shift in federal guidelines. For decades, the U.S. government recommended limits of two drinks per day for men and one for women, but the Trump administration removed these specific limits in January, suggesting instead that people consume less alcohol for better overall health.