Overview
- Florida Atlantic University researchers published a systematic review on Dec. 11 in Cancer Epidemiology that synthesized 62 U.S. studies, some enrolling nearly 100 million participants.
- Both the amount consumed and the frequency of drinking were associated with higher risk for breast, colorectal, liver, oral, laryngeal, esophageal and gastric cancers.
- Higher vulnerability was observed among African Americans and lower‑socioeconomic communities, with exposure and outcomes shaped by race, age, education and income despite comparable or lower consumption.
- Risk varied by drinking pattern and beverage type, with frequent use linked to higher risk in men, episodic heavy use linked to higher risk in women, and several studies tying white wine or beer to higher risk more often than spirits.
- Alcohol also worsened outcomes such as more advanced liver cancer and lower survival in alcoholic liver disease, and proposed responses include tailored public messaging, stronger alcohol policies and interventions for high‑risk groups.