Alcohol Use Linked to Increased Cancer Risk, U.S. Surgeon General Warns

The nation’s top doctor wants stricter warning labels on alcohol to warn consumers about the risk of developing multiple types of cancer, including breast, liver, and throat cancer.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Surgeon General of the U.S., Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued a press release on January 3, indicating that alcohol is the leading cause of preventable cancer in the U.S. and calling for alcoholic beverages to carry a warning label to make sure consumers are aware of the risk of cancer, similar to those carried by cigarettes.

The press release was accompanied by an advisory report on alcohol and cancer risks, linking consumption to an increased risk of seven different types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, and cancers of the voice box, liver, mouth and throat.

Alcohol Cancer Risks

The Surgeon General’s announcement warned there are several ways alcohol can cause cancer. Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde, which damages DNA and causes an increased risk of cancer. Alcohol also causes oxidative stress in the body, increasing the risk of cancer by damaging DNA, proteins, cells and increasing inflammation. In addition, alcohol also alters levels of multiple hormones, including estrogen, which can increase breast cancer risks.

The new research rejects the methodology of older studies that determined moderate drinking was safe. While most cancer deaths occur at drinking levels that exceed the current recommended dietary guidelines, some cancers like breast, mouth, and throat cancer increase with as little as one drink a day or less.

According to the data, one out of every six breast cancers may be linked to alcohol. The new data also indicates alcohol leads to a greater absorption of carcinogens, or chemicals that cause cancer.

Five more women out of 100 will develop cancer if they drink two drinks per day, the findings indicate. Three more men out of 100 develop cancer if they drink two drinks per day and four more women out of 100 develop breast cancer if they drink two drinks per day.

The Surgeon General’s warning reviewed studies across 20 years, including a global study of 195 countries and territories involving 28 million people. All of the data indicated higher levels of alcohol consumption were linked with a greater risk of cancer.

“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” Dr. Murthy said. “This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”

Alcohol Cancer Label Warnings

For decades, moderate drinking was said to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. But the new data indicates alcohol directly contributes to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 related deaths every year. Current labels only warn about the risk of drinking while pregnant, or before driving and operating machinery.

Federal regulators tried to update the 2020-2025 dietary guidelines five years ago, calling for alcohol cancer warnings. The recommendations included capping consumption at one drink per day for men and less for women.

However, when guidelines were issued, there was no change, leaving the current warning label for alcohol in the U.S. unaltered since 1988.

Only Congress can mandate new warning labels for alcohol, and it is unclear if the incoming Trump administration will support the new recommendations.

The World Health Organization has said there is no safe limit for alcohol consumption. So far, 47 nations require warnings on alcoholic beverages. Only South Korea has a label warning about liver cancer. But in 2026, Ireland is slated to introduce warning labels on alcoholic beverages that indicate “There is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers” and “ Drinking alcohol causes liver disease.”

Alcohol is considered by health officials to be the third leading preventable cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity.