US Study: Alcohol-Attributed Cancer Deaths Double Over 33 Years
A new US study reveals that alcohol-attributed cancer deaths have more than doubled over 33 years. Experts warn that even a single daily glass of wine increases the risk of developing several types of cancer.
The long-held belief that a daily glass of wine with dinner is part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle is being increasingly challenged by modern science. Accumulating research continues to strengthen the link between alcohol consumption and oncological diseases. Now, a new American study presents a worrying figure: the number of cancer deaths attributed to alcohol in the United States has more than doubled over a 33-year period.
Dr. Adi Altshuler, head of the multidisciplinary center for obesity treatment at Assia Medical in Assuta Ramat HaChayal, explains that the scientific consensus built in recent years requires a complete re-evaluation of drinking habits previously considered moderate and harmless.
"For years, only excessive drinking was viewed as harmful, while a glass of wine with dinner was considered by many to be part of a balanced lifestyle, and sometimes even healthy. However, accumulating studies paint a much more complex picture, especially regarding the link between alcohol and cancer."
From 11,000 to Over 23,000 Annual Deaths
The study, published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, examined mortality trends from alcohol-attributed cancer in the United States between 1990 and 2023, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease project. According to the findings, the annual number of cancer deaths attributed to alcohol rose from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.
Researchers urge caution when reading these figures: this represents the absolute number of deaths rather than a doubling of the age-adjusted mortality rate, as the American population grew and aged during the study period. Nevertheless, worrying trends were identified across various demographic groups.
Alcohol Impacts More Than Just the Liver
While the public primarily associates alcohol with addiction and liver disease, its carcinogenic impact is far broader. According to the US National Cancer Institute, there is robust evidence that alcohol consumption causes cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, breast, colon, and rectum.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies alcoholic beverages as Group 1 carcinogens—a category reserved for agents with proven carcinogenicity in humans.
"This classification does not mean a glass of wine is as dangerous as a cigarette. It refers to the certainty that the agent can cause cancer, not the magnitude of risk from a specific exposure. Individual risk depends on the amount and duration of drinking, genetics, and other risk factors."
Who Is at the Highest Risk?
The highest risk increase in the study was found among men and individuals aged 55 and older. Among older men, deaths from liver, esophageal, and colorectal cancers were prominent, while breast cancer was highly prevalent among older women.
Data regarding younger demographics also raise concerns. Among men aged 20–54, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-attributed cancer mortality. Among women in the same age group, breast cancer led, followed by colorectal cancer. Researchers from the University of Miami noted that in relatively young cohorts, colorectal cancer has bypassed liver cancer to become the primary driver of alcohol-related cancer deaths.
What About One Glass a Day?
While the link between heavy drinking and cancer is well-established, studies indicate that risk increases even at lower consumption levels. A meta-analysis of 139 cohort studies found a clear dose-response relationship: as alcohol intake rises, so does the risk of cancer. Light drinking was linked to an increased risk of esophageal, colon, and breast cancers.
Another meta-analysis found that consuming up to one drink per day was associated with an approximate 5% increase in the relative risk of breast cancer, a 17% increase for oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer, and a 30% increase for esophageal cancer.
"A 5% increase in relative risk does not mean every woman who drinks a glass of wine has a five percentage point higher risk. Absolute risk depends on an individual's baseline risk. However, even a small relative increase can be significant at the population level for such common exposures and cancers."
How Alcohol Causes Cancer
During the breakdown of alcohol in the body, acetaldehyde is produced—a toxic chemical that can damage DNA and proteins, disrupting cellular repair mechanisms. Alcohol also increases oxidative stress, impairs folate metabolism, facilitates the penetration of carcinogens into oral tissues, and raises estrogen levels, which is directly linked to breast cancer development.
Combining alcohol with smoking is particularly hazardous. For oral and pharyngeal cancers, the combined effect of drinking and smoking is multiplicative, far exceeding the sum of their individual risks.
Red Wine Is No Exception
Red wine is often attributed health benefits due to its polyphenol and resveratrol content, but these compounds do not counteract the harmful effects of ethanol.
"The polyphenols and resveratrol in red wine do not cancel out the effects of ethanol. There is no evidence that red wine reduces cancer risk, and a meta-analysis published in 2025 found no significant difference in overall cancer risk between red and white wine. For cancer prevention, the amount of ethanol matters far more than the color of the wine."
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. The US Surgeon General has also established a causal link between alcohol and at least seven types of cancer.
"The practical message is not that everyone must completely abstain, but that risk increases with exposure: less alcohol generally means less risk. For those who do not drink, there is no health reason to start. For those who enjoy alcohol, a single glass of wine does not need to become a source of dread, but daily drinking is not a health habit."
