Alcohol and Cancer Risk

A deep red background with the U.S. Public Health Service seal on it with the title, Alcohol and Cancer Risk, The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, 2024

Alcohol and Cancer Risk

This Advisory describes the scientific evidence for the causal link between alcohol consumption and increased risk for at least seven different types of cancer, including breast (in women), colorectum, esophagus, voice box, liver, mouth, and throat. The Advisory also helps to better inform the public of this relationship and offers key recommendations to reduce alcohol-related cancers.

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Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Risk: Key Data

An anatomy diagram with the title: Consuming alcohol increases the risk of developing at least 7 types of cancer

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Four diagrams of mechanisms with the title: Four ways alcohol can cause cancer

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Two bar charts labeled Women and Men with the title: Higher alcohol consumption increases alcohol-related cancer risk in women and men

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A bar chart with the title: Higher alcohol consumption increases breast cancer risk in women

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Additional Resources

SAMHSA: National Helpline

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Rethinking Drinking initiative offers ways to evaluate your drinking and decide whether and how to make a change. In addition, CDC offers a free, interactive tool for you to check your drinking and get personalized feedback (in English and Spanish). Additionally, there are some individuals who should not drink at all.

SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign offers tips on how to talk to children and youth about alcohol.

Addressing the broader population health impacts of alcohol consumption is beyond the scope of this Advisory. For more information on alcohol consumption and public health interventions, policies and solutions, please see information from CDC and WHO.

*This content is undergoing Section 508 review and/or remediation. For immediate assistance, please contact SurgeonGeneral@hhs.gov.

Content created by Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH)
Content last reviewed