Alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled since 1990, with colorectal cancer now the leading cause among younger adults, according to a recent study.
Alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the United States have seen a dramatic increase, more than doubling from 1990 to 2023. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine reveals that these deaths surged from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.
The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago. The researchers analyzed over three decades of data from the Global Burden of Disease study to track these alarming trends.
Despite alcohol being classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, public awareness of its link to various cancers remains surprisingly low. “The most surprising finding was the breadth of alcohol’s potential impact across cancer types,” said Dr. Chinmay Jani, the study’s corresponding author and chief fellow in hematology and oncology at Sylvester. “Although its relationship with liver cancer is widely recognized, its contribution to cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer is less understood by the public.”
The research indicates that older adults and men are disproportionately affected by alcohol-related cancer deaths. Among older men, liver cancer remains the leading cause of alcohol-attributable mortality, followed closely by esophageal and colorectal cancers. For women, breast cancer was identified as the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths.
Notably, the study found that among younger adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer has emerged as the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in men and the second leading cause in women, surpassing liver cancer in both demographics. This shift highlights a concerning trend that carries significant implications for public health messaging.
Researchers emphasize the importance of raising awareness about alcohol’s connection to various cancers, particularly as the general understanding of these risks remains low compared to more recognized dangers like tobacco use. “What this study makes clear is that alcohol-related cancer risk is not limited to one disease or one group of people,” said Dr. Gilberto Lopes, the study’s senior author and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School.
Given that no minimum “safe” level of alcohol consumption has been established, the researchers suggest that reducing alcohol intake may help lower long-term cancer risk. However, the study utilized existing national data rather than tracking individuals over time, which means the researchers could not determine specific drinking habits or account for all lifestyle factors.
As a result, while the findings demonstrate a strong association between alcohol use and cancer deaths, they do not establish a direct causal relationship or define a specific “safe” drinking limit. “As physicians and cancer researchers, we have an opportunity to help patients understand that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor and that even small, informed changes can be part of a broader strategy to reduce cancer risk in our community,” Dr. Lopes added.
These findings underscore the need for increased public health initiatives aimed at educating individuals about the risks associated with alcohol consumption and its potential link to various types of cancer.
According to Fox News, the implications of this research could lead to more informed discussions about alcohol consumption and its health impacts, particularly among younger populations.