Study Reveals U.S. Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Doubled Since 1990

Study Reveals U.S. Alcohol-Linked Cancer Deaths Doubled Since 1990

OZ.VGI.CO.ID - The number of cancer deaths in the United States attributable to alcohol consumption has more than doubled over the last three decades, according to a landmark study. Researchers from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine report a significant increase in annual deaths from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.

Alcohol Identified as a Widespread, Modifiable Cancer Risk Factor

The research underscores that alcohol's impact extends far beyond the well-known link to liver cancer. Findings indicate a growing burden from a range of malignancies, including colorectal, breast, esophageal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. The study positions alcohol as a potentially modifiable risk factor, offering a pathway for prevention.

This major study was first presented as an oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Its full findings have now been published in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet Regional Health—Americas, bringing the data to a global medical audience.

Methodology and Scope: Three Decades of Data

Led by Dr. Chinmay Jani, the research team analyzed more than three decades of data from the Global Burden of Disease study. The comprehensive dataset revealed that increases in alcohol-attributable cancer mortality were observed across most cancer types, age groups, and geographic regions in the U.S.

Alcohol has long been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), placing it in the same category as tobacco smoke and asbestos. Despite this, public awareness of its full cancer risk remains comparatively low.

Key Findings: A Shift in Cancer Patterns Across Ages

The analysis uncovered notable patterns in which cancers are most affected, particularly when comparing different age and gender groups. These patterns challenge common assumptions and highlight the need for broader public education.

“The most surprising finding was the breadth of alcohol’s potential impact across cancer types,” said Dr. Chinmay Jani, chief fellow in hematology and oncology at Sylvester and the study’s corresponding author. He received the Conquer Cancer Merit Award at ASCO 2025 for this research.

Older Adults vs. Younger Adults: Different Leading Cancers

Among older adults, particularly men and those age 55 and older, liver cancer accounted for the highest alcohol-attributable mortality rates. This was followed by esophageal and colorectal cancers, reinforcing traditional medical understanding.

However, a concerning shift appears in younger adults. For men ages 20 to 54, colorectal cancer emerged as the leading alcohol-attributable cause of cancer death, not liver cancer. Among women in the same younger age group, breast cancer ranked first, followed by colorectal cancer.

“Notably, among adults aged 20 to 54, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer mortality in men and the second leading cause in women, surpassing liver cancer in both groups,” Dr. Jani stated. This finding is particularly alarming given rising rates of early-onset colorectal cancer in the general population.

Geographic and Demographic Implications

The study identified substantial geographic variation across the United States. In 2023, Washington, D.C., recorded the highest alcohol-attributable cancer mortality rates, while Utah had the lowest, likely reflecting cultural and demographic differences in consumption patterns.

The findings hold particular relevance for the state of Florida, which has one of the nation’s largest populations of older adults. This demographic experienced the highest alcohol-attributable cancer mortality rates in the study, suggesting a critical need for targeted prevention efforts in the region.

Implications for Prevention and Public Awareness

Dr. Gilberto Lopes, senior author and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School, emphasized the study’s implications for clinical practice and public health messaging. The goal is to provide clear information about lifestyle factors that influence cancer risk.

“What this study makes clear is that alcohol-related cancer risk is not limited to one disease or one group of people,” Dr. Lopes said. “As physicians and cancer researchers, we have an opportunity to help patients understand that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor.”

In South Florida, where Sylvester serves one of the nation’s most diverse patient populations, the research may help inform education, prevention, and early detection strategies. The institution is actively working to leverage this data to reduce preventable cancer deaths in the community.

Call for Greater Awareness and Reduced Consumption

Despite the robust evidence, public awareness of the alcohol-cancer connection remains low compared to risks like tobacco use. Closing this knowledge gap is seen as a crucial step in cancer prevention efforts nationwide.

“The most important takeaway is greater awareness that alcohol may affect cancer risk beyond the liver,” Dr. Jani advised. He suggests that reducing consumption to the lowest amount feasible for each individual may help lessen its impact on both cancer risk and overall health.

Context: Sylvester’s Broader Research and Clinical Advances

This study aligns with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s ongoing commitment to advancing cancer prevention through population health research. By using large-scale data to understand modifiable risk factors, researchers aim to develop strategies that save lives.

The center is simultaneously pursuing other innovative avenues of care. This includes developing an AI-powered platform to provide personalized support for breast cancer survivors and conducting clinical trials on new therapies, such as testing testosterone treatment in men with low-risk prostate cancer.

These concurrent efforts demonstrate a multi-pronged approach to tackling cancer from both prevention and treatment perspectives. Recent developments, like the FDA approval of daraxonrasib for metastatic pancreatic cancer, also highlight the dynamic nature of oncology research.