Genetic Study Narrows Alcohol–Cancer Links as Major Review Reaffirms Broad Risks

Overview

• Researchers from Cambridge and the Karolinska Institute used Mendelian randomisation in 1.4 million people and found alcohol raises risk for head, neck, oesophagus and bowel cancers.
• In the UK dataset, genetically predicted higher alcohol consumption was associated with a 44% increase in overall cancer mortality.
• The study reported no genetic evidence that alcohol increases breast cancer risk, a finding the authors say may reflect very small effects or confounding in earlier observational work.
• A separate Florida Atlantic University review of 62 studies reported dose–response links across multiple cancers, including breast, colon, liver, mouth, throat and gastrointestinal cancers, and found drinking worsens cancer survival.
• Cancer charities acknowledged the new genetic findings yet reiterated long-standing guidance to limit alcohol, citing decades of evidence and national recommendations such as ACS daily limits and the UK’s 14 units per week.