### **How Alcohol Increases Your Cancer Risk – What Science Says**  


Whether you drink regularly or only on special occasions, alcohol takes a serious toll on your body. From your brain and heart to your lungs, muscles, digestive system, and immune function, alcohol has widespread harmful effects—including an increased risk of cancer.  


#### **Alcohol & Cancer: The Sobering Facts**  

Alcohol is the **third-leading preventable cause of cancer** in the U.S., responsible for **about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year**. To put that in perspective, alcohol-related car crashes cause around **13,500 deaths annually**—far fewer than alcohol-linked cancers.  


Since the **1980s**, researchers have suspected alcohol’s role in cancer development. Today, studies confirm that alcohol is **directly linked** to cancers of the:  

- Mouth & throat  

- Voice box (larynx)  

- Esophagus  

- Liver  

- Colon & rectum  

- Breast  


In **2000**, the U.S. National Toxicology Program classified alcohol as a **known human carcinogen**. By **2012**, the **World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)** labeled it a **Group 1 carcinogen**—the highest risk category, meaning there’s **conclusive evidence** it causes cancer in humans.  


#### **Why Aren’t More People Aware of This Risk?**  

Despite the clear dangers, **most Americans don’t realize alcohol causes cancer**. A **2019 survey** found that **fewer than 50% of U.S. adults** knew about the link. Yet, **over 224 million Americans (79% of those 12+)** have consumed alcohol at some point, with drinking rates rising even before the COVID-19 pandemic.  


As a researcher studying alcohol’s biological effects, my team investigates **how even moderate drinking increases cancer risk**—including damage to immune cells, DNA, and liver function.  


### **How Does Alcohol Cause Cancer?**  

Cancer develops when cells grow uncontrollably. Alcohol **fuels this process** through:  


1. **DNA Damage & Mutations**  

   - When your body breaks down alcohol, it produces **acetaldehyde**, a **known carcinogen** that damages DNA.  

   - Some people have genetic mutations that cause **faster alcohol breakdown**, leading to **higher acetaldehyde levels** and greater cancer risk.  


2. **Oxidative Stress & Inflammation**  

   - Alcohol triggers the release of **harmful free radicals**, which damage cells and promote **chronic inflammation**—a key driver of cancer.  

   - My research shows these free radicals also **disrupt protein function**, further increasing tumor risk.  


3. **Hormone Disruption**  

   - Alcohol **raises estrogen levels**, which is linked to **breast cancer**.  

   - It also **reduces vitamin A**, a compound that helps regulate estrogen.  


4. **Synergy With Other Carcinogens (Like Tobacco)**  

   - Drinking **makes it easier** for your body to absorb **cancer-causing chemicals** from cigarettes and e-cigarettes.  

   - Smoking alone causes DNA damage, but **alcohol amplifies the harm**.  


### **Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe?**  

If you ask scientists and doctors, the answer is clear: **No amount of alcohol is completely safe**.  


While U.S. guidelines suggest:  

- **≤1 drink/day for women**  

- **≤2 drinks/day for men**  


The **CDC, NIH, and U.S. Surgeon General** all emphasize that **even low alcohol intake increases cancer risk**.  


#### **The Bottom Line**  

Alcohol is a **preventable cause of cancer**, but individual risk depends on genetics, diet, and lifestyle. While we can’t yet predict **exactly** how alcohol affects each person, **reducing your intake is one of the best ways to lower your cancer risk**.  


**Your health is worth it.**