New study finds increased link between daily alcohol consumption and cancer mortality

What happened

A new study reports that alcohol's role in cancer-related deaths has increased over the past two decades, with one source noting that these deaths have doubled.

The research suggests that consuming one standard drink daily may increase the risk of developing or dying from various cancers.

The study indicates that alcohol consumption is linked to cancer deaths beyond those affecting the liver.

Why it matters

These findings highlight a broader health risk associated with alcohol consumption, which is already recognized as a group 1 carcinogen by the IARC and is linked to cancers in multiple organs including the breast, colon, and esophagus.

Context

Alcohol is thought to contribute to cancer development through biological mechanisms such as DNA methylation, oxidative stress, and hormonal alteration.

Global data indicates that approximately 3.5% of cancer deaths and 3.6% of cancer cases are attributable to alcohol, with a 3:1 male-to-female ratio in alcohol-related cancer cases.