Key takeaways
- Drinking alcohol increases a person’s risk of several cancers including breast, bowel, mouth and throat because it can cause damage to our cells and hormones
- An estimated 3–4 out of every 100 cases of cancer in the UK are caused by alcohol
- All types of alcohol can cause cancer
- Because you are taking steps to reduce or stop alcohol, your cancer risk is reduced. Not smoking, and staying fit, healthy and out of the sun, will also reduce your risk of cancer.
While the link between smoking and cancer is well known, fewer people know that drinking alcohol can increase cancer risk. Not everyone who drinks alcohol will get cancer, but scientists have found that several cancers, including breast, bowel, mouth and throat, can be caused by alcohol. The risk of developing these types of cancer starts to increase even at low levels of drinking, with the risk increasing the more you drink. In this article, we take a closer look at the link between alcohol and cancer, including the statistics, how alcohol affects cancer risk, and how to reduce your cancer risk from other factors.
Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. A carcinogen is any substance known to cause cancer. Carcinogens classified in Group 1, which also includes asbestos, radiation, and tobacco, have the highest risk of causing cancer.
Dr Eleonora Teplinsky, Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, New Jersey USA
Alcohol and cancer: the statistics
Drinking alcohol can cause seven types of cancer:
- Breast cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Mouth cancer
- Food pipe (oesophageal) cancer
- Upper throat (pharyngeal) cancer
- Voice box (laryngeal cancer)
- Liver cancer
It’s estimated that 3–4 out of every 100 cases of cancer in the UK are caused by alcohol – around 11,500–12,500 new cases every year.
How does alcohol cause cancer?
Some of the main ways that alcohol can cause cancer are:
- By causing damage to our cells. When we drink alcohol, our bodies turn it into a chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde can damage our cells and can also stop cells repairing this damage.
- By causing changes to our hormones. Alcohol can increase the levels of some hormones in our bodies, such as oestrogen and insulin, which can make cells divide more often. This increases the chance that cancer will develop.
- By causing changes to cells in the mouth and throat. Alcohol can make it easier for cells in the mouth and throat to absorb harmful chemicals that cause damage.
It’s important to note that it’s the alcohol itself that damages your body, even small amounts. This means it doesn’t matter whether you drink beer, wine or spirits. All types of alcohol can cause cancer.
How to reduce your cancer risk from alcohol
Alcohol is a risk factor you can influence. The less you drink, the more you reduce your risk.
If you do drink alcohol try to keep the health risks low. The NHS website recommends no more than 14 units a week (around 6 medium (175ml) glasses of wine, or 6 pints of 4% beer), spread over three or more days, with several drink-free days and no bingeing. However, remember that drinking even at lower levels can increase your cancer risk.
To keep your overall risk of cancer low, it’s also important not to smoke, to make sure you are getting enough exercise (aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity a day, five days a week), maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet and protect yourself from the sun.
Four ways to further reduce your cancer risk
While it’s not possible to eliminate your cancer risk, there are some sensible steps you can take to reduce it.
Eat a healthy diet
A plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, beans and pulses will help to maintain good gut health and reduce cancer risk.
Do not smoke
Smoking is the leading cause of cancer worldwide and also in the UK. Stopping smoking at any point is beneficial for your health and cancer risk.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can reduce cancer risk by regulating hormones, reducing inflammation and helping maintain a healthy weight.
Be safe in the sun
Getting sunburnt just once every two years can also triple your risk of melanoma, so take sensible steps to protect your skin in the future.
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.
References:
Brown, K.F. et al., ‘The fraction of cancer attributable to modifiable risk factors in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom in 2015,’ 2018, British Journal of Cancer, 118(8), 1130.
‘How does alcohol cause cancer?’ Cancer Research UK, September 2023, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/alcohol-and-cancer/how-does-alcohol-cause-cancer
‘How alcohol increases your cancer risk and what to know about reducing it,’ Cancer.net, August 2023, https://www.cancer.net/blog/2023-08/how-alcohol-increases-your-cancer-risk-and-what-know-about-reducing-it
‘Alcohol and Cancer,’ Drinkaware.co.uk, January 2022, https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/alcohol-related-diseases-and-illnesses/alcohol-and-cancer