Overview

• A study presented at ASCO2025 shows that annual alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. rose from about 12,000 in 1990 to over 23,000 by 2021.
• Men over 55 experienced the largest increase, with alcohol-attributable cancer mortality in that group growing by roughly 1% per year since 2007.
• Only 40% of American adults recognize alcohol as a carcinogen, and awareness is lowest among Black adults and those with some college education or less.
• Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, with acetaldehyde-induced DNA damage, oxidative stress and hormonal changes driving cancer development.
• Health experts are calling for public education campaigns, targeted prevention efforts and mandatory cancer warning labels on alcohol products.