A recent study has revealed an emerging trend; cancer deaths associated with alcohol consumption have doubled yearly over the last three decades. The number of cancer deaths increased from 11,896 in 1991 to 23,207 in 2021, with older men—particularly those aged 55 and above—accounting for the largest share of this rise.

“This is not just about getting cancer; it’s about dying from it,” emphasized Dr. Jane Figueiredo, a professor of medicine at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who was not involved in the research. “While we’ve made progress in treating cancer, this highlights how alcohol remains a deadly factor.”

The study focused on seven types of cancer with known links to alcohol use: breast, liver, colorectal, mouth, throat, voice box (larynx), and oesophagus. Although alcohol is not the cause of every case of these cancers, it is a significant contributing factor.

Yet many people still do not associate alcohol with cancer in the same way they do tobacco. “People don’t necessarily think of alcohol as a carcinogen,” said Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor of public health at Tufts University School of Medicine, also not involved in the study. “But it is.”

Once consumed, alcohol is broken down into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that can damage DNA. This same substance is found in tobacco smoke. Alcohol also weakens the body’s ability to repair damaged cells and increases tissue absorption of other carcinogens, particularly in the mouth and throat.

Back in 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the World Health Organization (WHO), officially classified alcohol as a cancer-causing agent. Initially, it was linked to cancers of the head and neck, liver, and later, to breast cancer in women and colorectal cancers in men as research expanded.

More recently, public health experts have argued that alcoholic beverages should carry cancer warning labels similar to cigarettes. The WHO has also reinforced that there is no “safe” amount of alcohol when it comes to cancer risk.

The new study shows a clear upward trend in the proportion of cancer deaths linked to alcohol. In 1991, alcohol accounted for 2.5% of cancer deaths in men and 1.46% in women. By 2021, those figures had increased to 4.2% in men and 1.85% in women.

Men experienced a 56% rise in alcohol-related cancer deaths during that period. While women saw a minor increase at nearly 8%, experts warn that changing drinking patterns among women could shift these numbers further in the future.

“It was expected that men would have higher cancer death rates, but the gap between men and women percentage was wider than we anticipated,” said Dr Chinmay Jani, a chief fellow of haematology and oncology at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and co-leader of the study.

Historically, men have begun drinking earlier and in larger quantities. However, recent studies show that heavy drinking is becoming more common among women, and binge drinking rates are now slightly higher among young women than young men.

Most Impacted Groups and States

Cancer deaths related to alcohol were exceptionally high among individuals aged 55 and older. In this group, alcohol-linked cancer deaths among men increased by over 1% each year between 2007 and 2021.

Liver, colorectal, and oesophagal cancers were found to be the most fatal of alcohol-related cancers. Liver cancer topped the list for men, while breast cancer was the deadliest for women.

“We know even small amounts of alcohol can influence breast tissue and increase risk,” noted Dr. Figueiredo.

Dr. Jani emphasized that alcohol’s cancer-causing effects don’t occur overnight but build up over time. “You might not feel the impact when you’re younger, but continued drinking over the years allows carcinogens to accumulate and cause long-term damage,” he explained.

The next phase of research, he said, should examine how alcohol affects cancer risk across different racial and ethnic groups—since drinking patterns and healthcare access can vary widely.

A Call for Better Public Awareness

Experts agree that public understanding of alcohol’s risks remains low. Many still view drinking in moderation as harmless. However, researchers believe the message should shift from “drink responsibly” to “drink with awareness.”

“We’re not saying people can’t drink,” said Dr. Siegel. “Everyone has the right to make their own choices. But those choices should be informed by facts, not myths.”