US Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Rose 58% in 33 Years as 1 Daily Drink Raises Risk
Updated
Updated · KSL.com · Sep 6
US Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Rose 58% in 33 Years as 1 Daily Drink Raises Risk
3 articles · Updated · KSL.com · Sep 6
Summary
A Lancet study found the share of US cancer deaths attributable to alcohol climbed 58% from 1990 to 2023, even as overall cancer mortality declined.
23,126 Americans died from alcohol-linked cancers in 2023, up from 11,361 in 1990, with risk rising at roughly one standard drink a day.
Colorectal cancer led alcohol-attributable cancer deaths among men ages 20 to 54 and ranked second for women that age group, while breast cancer was the top alcohol-linked killer in women overall.
Men and adults 55 and older saw the greatest burden, but researchers said women and younger adults face higher cancer risk at lower alcohol exposure than older men.
The findings add to evidence that alcohol promotes cancer through carcinogenic acetaldehyde, hormone changes, DNA damage and inflammation, though the spirits industry disputed claims that no safe level exists.