Does Drinking Alcohol Increase Your Risk of Cancer?

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Many people know that smoking increases the risk of cancer. Far fewer realize that drinking alcohol can also cause cancer.

Beer, wine, champagne, cocktails, and liquor all contain ethanol—the type of alcohol associated with cancer risk. It is not simply a question of whether someone drinks beer instead of liquor or chooses red wine instead of another alcoholic beverage.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there is strong scientific evidence that drinking alcohol can cause several types of cancer. In general, the more alcohol a person drinks over time, the greater the risk.

At 14 Street Medical Arts, we believe preventive healthcare begins with understanding your individual risk factors. Regular medical examinations and recommended cancer screenings can help identify health problems earlier, when treatment may be more effective.

Which Cancers Are Associated With Alcohol?

Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including:

• Mouth cancer
• Throat cancer
• Laryngeal or voice-box cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Breast cancer in women
• Colon and rectal cancer

Even relatively low levels of alcohol consumption may increase the risk of certain cancers. The risk generally increases as alcohol consumption increases.

What About Wine?

A common misconception is that wine—particularly red wine—is somehow different when it comes to cancer.

When considering cancer risk, the alcohol itself matters.

Red wine, white wine, beer, and liquor all contain ethanol. The National Cancer Institute reports that research has not established that drinking red wine reduces cancer risk.

Changing from liquor to wine therefore does not eliminate the cancer risk associated with alcohol.

How Can Alcohol Cause Cancer?

There are several ways alcohol may contribute to cancer development.

Alcohol Can Damage DNA

When the body processes alcohol, it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can damage DNA and proteins.

DNA contains the instructions controlling how cells grow and function. Damage to DNA can contribute to abnormal cell growth and cancer development.

Alcohol Can Increase Oxidative Stress

Alcohol metabolism can generate reactive molecules that may damage cells, proteins, fats, and DNA.

Alcohol Can Affect Hormones

Alcohol can increase estrogen levels.

Higher estrogen exposure is one mechanism through which alcohol may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Alcohol Can Affect Nutrient Absorption

Alcohol may interfere with the body's ability to absorb or process nutrients involved in maintaining healthy cells, including folate and several vitamins.

Alcohol and Smoking Are Particularly Dangerous Together

Alcohol can make tissues of the mouth and throat more susceptible to carcinogens from tobacco.

People who both smoke and drink have a substantially greater risk of certain mouth, throat, and esophageal cancers than people exposed to either factor alone.

Alcohol and Breast Cancer

The relationship between alcohol and breast cancer is particularly important for women.

Research shows that breast cancer risk can increase even at relatively low levels of alcohol consumption. The risk rises further as alcohol intake increases.

Women should discuss their individual breast cancer risk and appropriate screening schedule with their healthcare provider.

Depending on age and individual risk factors, preventive care may include regular clinical examinations and mammography.

Alcohol and Liver Cancer

The liver processes much of the alcohol consumed by the body.

Long-term excessive alcohol use can damage the liver and contribute to:

• Fatty liver disease
• Alcohol-associated hepatitis
• Fibrosis
• Cirrhosis

Chronic liver damage and cirrhosis can significantly increase the risk of liver cancer.

Patients with a history of heavy alcohol consumption or known liver disease should discuss their liver health with a physician.

Depending on the individual patient, evaluation may include:

• Liver function blood tests
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• Additional laboratory testing
• CT or MRI when medically appropriate
• Referral for specialist evaluation

Alcohol and Colorectal Cancer

Alcohol consumption is also associated with an increased risk of colon and rectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer can sometimes develop for years without obvious symptoms, which is why appropriate screening is so important.

Adults should discuss colorectal cancer screening with their healthcare provider based on their age, family history, previous polyps, symptoms, and other individual risk factors.

Alcohol and Cancers of the Mouth and Throat

Alcohol increases the risk of cancers involving the:

• Mouth
• Throat
• Voice box
• Esophagus

The combination of alcohol and tobacco is especially concerning.

Persistent symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, unexplained hoarseness, a persistent sore throat, or an unexplained lump should be medically evaluated.

Is There a Completely Safe Amount of Alcohol for Cancer Prevention?

Cancer risk does not suddenly begin only after someone reaches a specific number of drinks.

For certain cancers, increased risk has been observed even with relatively low alcohol consumption.

From a cancer-prevention perspective, drinking less alcohol lowers risk compared with drinking more, and not drinking eliminates alcohol-related cancer exposure.

This does not mean that everyone who drinks alcohol will develop cancer. Cancer develops from a complex interaction of age, genetics, environmental exposures, lifestyle, and other medical factors.

Alcohol is one modifiable risk factor—something a person can change.

What Happens If You Stop Drinking?

Reducing or stopping alcohol consumption can have health benefits.

Research indicates that stopping alcohol use is associated with reduced risk of certain alcohol-related cancers, although it may take years for some risks to decline substantially.

It is never too late to make changes that may improve your long-term health.

Cancer Prevention Is More Than Just Alcohol

Reducing alcohol consumption is one component of cancer prevention.

Other important steps include:

• Don't smoke
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a balanced diet
• Control diabetes and other chronic conditions
• Protect your skin from excessive ultraviolet exposure
• Complete recommended cancer screenings
• Discuss your family history with your physician
• Keep regular preventive-care appointments

There is no way to prevent every cancer, but reducing known risk factors and completing appropriate screenings can make an important difference.

Don't Wait for Symptoms to Think About Cancer Screening

Many cancers cause few or no symptoms during their early stages.

Preventive care allows physicians to evaluate your individual risk and determine which screening tests may be appropriate.

Depending on your age, sex, medical history, family history, and other risk factors, your physician may discuss screening for conditions such as:

• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Lung cancer in eligible high-risk patients
• Prostate cancer
• Other cancers based on individual risk

Screening recommendations are not identical for every patient.

Concerned About Your Liver?

Patients who regularly consume alcohol may be particularly concerned about liver health.

At 14 Street Medical Arts, evaluation may include laboratory testing and, when medically appropriate, diagnostic imaging such as:

Abdominal Ultrasound

Ultrasound can evaluate the appearance of the liver and other abdominal organs without using ionizing radiation.

CT Scan

CT provides detailed cross-sectional images and may be recommended to investigate certain abnormalities.

MRI

MRI can provide highly detailed images of the liver and other abdominal structures when additional evaluation is needed.

The appropriate test depends on your symptoms, medical history, laboratory findings, and physician's examination.

When Should You Talk to Your Doctor?

Consider discussing alcohol use and cancer risk with your physician if:

• You drink alcohol regularly
• You have a history of heavy alcohol use
• You smoke and drink alcohol
• You have liver disease
• You have a strong family history of cancer
• You are unsure which cancer screenings you need
• You have unexplained weight loss
• You notice blood in your stool
• You have persistent abdominal symptoms
• You develop unusual or persistent symptoms

The purpose of discussing alcohol use with your physician is not judgment. It is to understand your risk and determine whether any preventive testing, lifestyle changes, or medical evaluation may be appropriate.

Why Choose 14 Street Medical Arts for Preventive Care?

14 Street Medical Arts provides comprehensive preventive and diagnostic healthcare with access to multiple specialties and diagnostic services.

Our services include:

• Primary care
• Preventive examinations
• Laboratory testing
• Cancer risk assessment
• Gastroenterology
• Pulmonology
• Abdominal Ultrasound
• MRI
• CT
• Digital X-ray
• Low-Dose CT lung cancer screening for eligible patients
• Multi-specialty medical care

Our goal is to help patients identify health risks before symptoms become serious.

Convenient Manhattan Locations

East 14 Street MedicalArts

332 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003

West 14 Street MedicalArts

110 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011

Columbus Ave MedicalArts

912 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10025

Radiology MedicalArts

500 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10009

We conveniently serve patients throughout the East Village, Union Square, Gramercy Park, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Flatiron District, Upper West Side, and surrounding Manhattan neighborhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol and Cancer

Does alcohol really cause cancer?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are recognized as carcinogenic to humans. Alcohol consumption is causally associated with several cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, breast, colon, and rectum.

Is wine safer than liquor when it comes to cancer?

No alcoholic beverage is free from alcohol-related cancer risk. Beer, wine, and liquor all contain ethanol.

Does one drink a day increase cancer risk?

Even relatively low alcohol consumption can increase the risk of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer. Cancer risk generally increases as alcohol consumption increases.

If I only drink on weekends, am I safe?

Cancer risk depends on multiple factors, including the amount and pattern of alcohol consumption. Drinking less generally means less alcohol-related risk, but occasional drinking does not make the exposure risk-free.

Does quitting alcohol lower cancer risk?

Evidence indicates that stopping alcohol consumption can lower the risk of certain alcohol-related cancers over time.

Should I get tested for cancer because I drink alcohol?

Alcohol use alone does not mean you have cancer or automatically require imaging. Your physician can evaluate your age, drinking history, smoking history, family history, symptoms, and other factors to determine which established cancer screenings or diagnostic tests are appropriate.

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Schedule Your Preventive Health Evaluation

If you are concerned about alcohol consumption, cancer risk, liver health, or whether you are up to date with recommended cancer screenings, schedule a preventive-care appointment at 14 Street Medical Arts.

Our physicians can review your personal and family history, evaluate your individual risk factors, order appropriate laboratory or diagnostic testing, and help you develop a personalized prevention plan.

Reducing alcohol consumption is one practical step you can take today to lower your risk of several cancers and improve your long-term health.

About 14 Street Medical Arts

14 Street Medical Arts is a multi-specialty medical practice serving New York City through convenient Manhattan locations. We provide primary care, preventive medicine, specialty care, cancer risk assessment, laboratory testing, advanced diagnostic imaging, MRI, CT, ultrasound, and comprehensive healthcare services for patients throughout Manhattan.