Alcohol and Cancer Risk: What You Need to Know
Most of us are aware that alcohol can harm the liver, increase accident risk, and impact mental health, but its connection to cancer often goes unrecognised. Yet, research shows a clear link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of several types of cancer. Understanding this relationship can help us make more informed choices about drinking.
How Alcohol Increases Cancer Risk
When we drink alcohol, the body breaks it down into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde. This substance can damage DNA and prevent cells from repairing themselves properly, a key step in the development of cancer. Alcohol also:
Increases hormone levels – such as oestrogen, which is linked to breast cancer.
Irritates tissues – particularly in the mouth, throat, and oesophagus.
Acts as a solvent – helping harmful chemicals, such as those in tobacco smoke, penetrate cells more easily.
Which Cancers Are Linked to Alcohol?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Cancer Council, alcohol is a proven cause of at least seven types of cancer, including:
Mouth and throat cancers
Oesophageal cancer
Liver cancer
Bowel cancer
Breast cancer
Even small amounts of alcohol can increase risk, particularly for breast and bowel cancers.
Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe?
The short answer is: no.
There is no completely safe level of drinking when it comes to cancer risk. The more alcohol you consume, the greater the risk. However, lowering your intake—whether by reducing how often you drink, choosing low- or no-alcohol options, or setting alcohol-free days—can significantly reduce your chances of developing cancer.
Alcohol, Culture, and Choice
For many, alcohol is tied to socialising, relaxation, and celebration. This cultural connection can make it hard to cut back. But just as attitudes towards smoking shifted over time, awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk is slowly growing. Making small changes—like alternating drinks with water, choosing mocktails, or politely declining when you don’t feel like drinking—can have long-term health benefits.
Key Takeaways
Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, in the same category as tobacco and asbestos.
Risk increases with the amount and frequency of drinking.
Cutting back at any level can improve long-term health and reduce cancer risk.
Even modest drinking adds risk
About two standard drinks per day raises cancer risk by approximately 5% for women and 3% for men, compared to very low or no alcohol intake Alcohol and Drug Foundation.
Significant rise with additional weekly drinks
Adding seven more drinks to one’s weekly consumption is associated with a 12% higher risk of death from cancers known to be linked to alcohol Cancer Council NSW.
Incidence (not death) of alcohol-related cancers also increases by 10% per additional seven drinks consumed weekly Cancer NSW.
Variations by cancer type (at ~7 drinks/week)
Liver & oesophageal cancer: ~22% increased risk
Mouth, pharynx, larynx cancers: ~18% increased risk
Breast cancer: ~11% increased risk
Bowel cancer: ~9% increased risk Can We.
Absolute risk perspective
Compared to people who drink less than one standard drink per week, Australians consuming more than 14 standard drinks weekly have an estimated lifetime cancer risk of 4.4% (men) and 5.4% (women) The Guardian.
Summary Note
The risk of alcohol-related cancer increases steadily in a dose-response manner—even small amounts matter.
Different cancers carry different relative risk increases, but the overall trend is clear: more alcohol means more risk.
Women generally face higher increases in risk, especially for hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.