Understanding Alcohol and Cancer Risk

If you’ve been unsure what to think about the connection between drinking alcohol and getting cancer, the U.S. Surgeon General has added more clarity. Vivek Murthy, MD, issued a 2025 advisory recommending that warning labels on alcoholic beverages be updated to include cancer risk.

The advisory reflects a growing body of science that has found drinking alcohol can increase your chances of developing cancer, especially if you drink regularly or in large amounts.

“We have enough evidence and scientific research to conclude that alcohol intake can cause cancer,” said Jeanine Genkinger, PhD, a cancer epidemiologist who studies cancer risk, progression, and prevention at Columbia. “Alcohol is considered a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. That means the evidence from studies done in humans and animals is strong that alcohol causes cancer in humans.”

According to the World Health Organization, more than 400,000 cancer deaths and more than 4% of all cancer cases worldwide in 2019 were due to alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol also led to nearly 500,000 cardiovascular disease cases and 724,000 traffic accidents and injuries, including self-harm and violence. 

The more you drink, and the longer you drink for, the higher your risk, says Dr. Genkinger, who adds, “Even moderate drinking can increase the chances of certain cancers.”

Dr. Genkinger explains how alcohol changes the body, the types of cancer it affects, and what the evidence says about reducing your risk.

Who is at risk of getting cancer from drinking alcohol?

Everyone is at risk. This does not mean that everyone who drinks will definitely get cancer, but the more alcohol you drink, the more risk you have. People who drink heavily or have other risk factors, like smoking, have the most risk.

When you drink alcohol, what happens that increases the risk of getting cancer?

Cancer is a disease that results from changes in our genes and DNA. It can occur when our DNA is damaged and our body doesn’t repair it, or when changes in our genes result in abnormal cell growth and division.

Alcohol intake can damage DNA and prevent the body from making repairs, as well as cause hormonal changes, liver damage, and inflammation.

Is there an amount of alcohol you can drink that is safe from cancer risk?

No. There’s no safe amount of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer risk. The World Health Organization says: “Even low levels of alcohol consumption carry some risks and can cause harm.” 

Studies show that even moderate drinking—about one drink per day for women; about two drinks per day for men—can increase the risk of certain cancers. The risk further increases with the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption.

What are the cancers most commonly associated with alcohol consumption?

There is strong, convincing evidence that higher alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancer in the breast, liver, colon and rectum (colorectal cancer), mouth, throat, esophagus, and larynx (voice box).

There is probable evidence that higher alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.

There is suggestive evidence that higher alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancers of the pancreas, lungs, and skin.

If you drink now, can you reduce your risk of getting cancer by stopping drinking, or is it too late?

Yes. There is evidence that reducing alcohol consumption can lower the risk of developing cancers of the oral cavity and esophagus. There are studies looking into how risk is lowered for other cancers if a person stops drinking alcohol.

Is it safe to drink non-alcoholic beer or other “N/A” beverages?

Check the labels. Most non-alcoholic beers, wines, and other beverages that mimic alcohol still contain some alcohol. It must be less than or equal to .05% to be called “non-alcoholic,” but that is still some alcohol. 

Is cooking with wine or other spirits free from cancer risk?

Cooking can reduce the amount of alcohol, but that reduction varies based on the length of time you cook and the way you cook, which affects how much alcohol evaporates.

Is the risk of cancer from drinking alcohol a major public health concern?

Yes, the World Cancer Research Fund estimates that the average intake of alcohol for individuals over the age of 15 globally is one alcoholic beverage per day. However, intake can vary greatly by factors such as age, gender, religion, and country.

Given this high average intake, and its association with cancer risk, alcohol intake is a major public health concern. We have also seen increases in consumption around times of stress, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and other major events.

Do you feel there should be a warning label on alcohol containers to advise people they could get cancer from drinking?

Yes. Labeling alcohol containers is one step we could take in communicating risk about consuming alcohol, and how alcohol intake increases the risk of cancer. We have seen the benefits of labels for other health concerns, like birth defects linked to drinking alcohol and smoking during pregnancy. Labels help inform consumers.

What should everyone know about drinking alcohol and cancer?

We are still learning and researching topics like the connection between binge drinking and cancer risk. We know that alcohol intake can lead to many health issues, not just cancer.

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Jeanine Genkinger, PhD, is an associate professor of epidemiology, co-director of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research KL2 program, and director of the Database Shared Resource of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia.