Alcohol consumption is traditionally associated with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, a lesser-known fact is that alcohol is linked not only to various other health issues but also to a wide range of cancers.
According to the government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, individuals who do not drink alcohol should not start drinking for any reason, as there is strong scientific consensus that alcohol consumption can cause several types of cancer.
The Dietary Guidelines recommend that those who choose to drink should do so in moderation, limiting intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks in a single day or eight or more drinks per week for women, and five or more drinks in a single day or fifteen or more drinks per week for men.
Dr. Sriniket Mohan Raghavan, Consultant – Surgical Oncology at Manipal Hospital Dwarka, New Delhi, explains, “Alcohol has been categorized as a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It can cause cancers of the oral cavity (mouth), larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach, breast, pancreas, colon, and rectum (large intestine).”
How does alcohol cause cancer?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol contributes to cancer development in four key ways:
Acetaldehyde Formation – Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that damages DNA and prevents proper cell repair, increasing cancer risk.
Oxidative Stress – Alcohol consumption generates oxidative stress, leading to DNA, protein, and cellular damage, as well as increased inflammation in the body.
Hormonal Disruptions – Alcohol affects multiple hormones, including estrogens, which can contribute to hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer.
Increased Absorption of Carcinogens – Alcohol enhances the body’s absorption of harmful carcinogens, further elevating cancer risk.
Dr. Dinesh Pendharkar, Director of the Sarvodaya Cancer Institute at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector-8, Faridabad, elaborates, “During alcohol metabolism, acetaldehyde is produced. This toxic compound not only damages DNA and disrupts cellular repair mechanisms but also triggers malignant transformations. Alcohol-induced oxidative stress and chronic inflammation further contribute to cancer development.”
Head and Neck Cancer
Dr. Deepak Sarin, Vice Chairman of Head & Neck Cancer, Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery at Medanta, Gurugram, highlights, “One of the most overlooked risks is mouth cancer. While its link to tobacco use is widely recognized, its connection to alcohol is often underestimated. Alcohol alone increases the risk of developing mouth cancer, and with heavy consumption, the risk is sixfold. When combined with tobacco, the risk multiplies several times over. The type of alcohol consumed does not matter. Despite clear evidence, a persistent myth suggests that alcohol does not cause mouth cancer, which is simply untrue.”
Esophageal Cancer
Even minimal alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a particularly aggressive form of esophageal cancer. Compared to abstaining from alcohol, the risk rises by approximately 1.3 times for light drinkers and nearly fivefold for heavy drinkers.
Breast Cancer
Alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. According to the National Library of Medicine, “Moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to an approximate 30-50% increased risk of breast cancer. Case-control and cohort studies have consistently observed this modest increase.”
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Colorectal Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, “Moderate to heavy alcohol intake is linked to a 1.2- to 1.5-fold increased risk of cancers of the colon and rectum compared to non-drinkers.”
Is there a safe limit for alcohol consumption?
Leading oncologists warn that no level of alcohol consumption is entirely safe, emphasizing that reducing or eliminating intake is crucial for lowering cancer risk. Understanding these often-overlooked dangers is essential for making informed health decisions and adopting effective cancer prevention strategies.
“There is no known ‘safe limit’ for alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer risk,” says Dr. Deepak Sarin. “While studies show a correlation between higher alcohol intake and an increased risk of developing mouth cancer, even mild drinking carries a risk. For individuals who have already been treated for mouth cancer, continuing to drink doubles the likelihood of recurrence.”
