An analysis of US data from 1990 to 2023 linked alcohol consumption to an increase of more than 58% in the proportion of deaths from a range of cancers among people aged 20 and over. The authors of the study in *The Lancet Regional Health – Americas* noted that an increased risk is observed even with as little as approximately one standard drink per day – be it beer, wine or spirits.
Briefly about the main points
- The proportion of alcohol-related cancer deaths has risen by more than 58%.
- One standard drink a day has been linked to a higher risk of cancer.
- The greatest impact was observed among men and people aged 55 and over.
- Ethanol is converted into acetaldehyde, which can damage DNA.
- The authors advise reducing alcohol consumption to the lowest possible level.
The number of deaths has more than doubled
The authors analysed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study spanning more than three decades. The number of alcohol-related cancer deaths per year in the US more than doubled during this period — from 11,361 to 23,126. The greatest impact was observed among men and people aged 55 and over: among older men, the rate of such deaths rose by almost 24%.
Among people aged 20–54, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths among men and the second leading cause among women. Among women, breast cancer was the leading cause.
For men, the researchers found the strongest link between alcohol consumption and mortality to be with liver cancer, followed by oesophageal cancer and colorectal cancer. For women aged 55 and over, the leading causes were breast cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer. The study also covered prostate, stomach, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers.
A common component of various drinks is ethanol
The risks are not linked to any specific type of drink, but to ethanol. In the liver, it is broken down into acetaldehyde, which the US National Cancer Institute classifies as a probable human carcinogen. Before it is fully converted into acetate, acetaldehyde can damage DNA and prevent its repair.
Alcohol also alters hormone levels, particularly oestrogen, and increases oxidative stress and inflammation. It can weaken the cells of the mouth and throat and interfere with the absorption of vitamins A, C, D, E and folates. When combined with smoking, the tissues of the mouth and throat may be more vulnerable to carcinogens.
What do the authors of the study recommend?
First author of the paper Chinmai Jani He stated that reducing alcohol consumption to the lowest possible level would be better for one’s health. At the same time, he emphasised that the research findings do not provide grounds for explicitly calling for a complete abstinence from alcohol.
Cardiologist Andrew Freeman, who was not involved in the study, told CNN that current research does not support the existence of a safe level of alcohol consumption. In contrast, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States stated that the conclusion that there is no safe level of consumption does not stem specifically from this study and fails to take into account the complexity of the scientific evidence on alcohol and health.
According to estimates WHO, alcohol causes around 3 million deaths worldwide every year.
