A sobering new study has revealed that cancer deaths are on the rise across the United States.
The research shows that alcohol-related cancer deaths have nearly doubled from 12,000 a year in 1990 to more than 23,000 a year in 2021.
The study — which has not yet been published in a journal but will be presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago — identifies men aged 55 and older as the most at-risk group for these types of deaths.
While women only saw an 8% increase in cancer deaths due to alcohol during this period, for men, the spike was a shocking 56%.
“It was not surprising that it was higher in men, but it was certainly surprising how much higher it was in men versus women,” said lead author Dr. Chinmay Jani, chief fellow of hematology and oncology at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, according to NBC News.
The researchers theorize this disparity may be due to the earlier ages at which men begin drinking — especially since the effects tend to compound over time.
“The carcinogenic effect probably isn’t affecting you right away in your younger age, but as you continue to drink as you age, this carcinogen has an accumulative effect on the body,” Jani said.
Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
It has been linked to at least six types of cancer, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and breast.
Even moderate drinking can elevate cancer risk, challenging the long-held belief that light alcohol consumption is harmless.
In spite of this, public awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer remains low.
A 2024 report by the American Association for Cancer Research found that while more than 5% of all cancer cases are caused by drinking alcohol, 51% of Americans are not aware that alcohol increases cancer risk.
In response to these findings, health officials are advocating for stronger warning labels on alcoholic beverages to inform consumers about these risks.
The US Surgeon General has also called for increased public education on the dangers of alcohol consumption.
“We need to increase awareness of this link among the general population and even in the medical field,” Jani said in a news release.
“There’s a lot of awareness about, for example, tobacco and the risk of cancer. But for alcohol, that awareness isn’t there.”
