Overview
- The MD Anderson–led analysis, published Oct. 30–31 in JAMA Oncology, examined responses from nearly 7,000 U.S. adults in the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey.
- Overall, 52.9% did not know alcohol affects cancer risk, 37.1% recognized increased risk, and about 1% believed drinking decreases risk.
- Current drinkers were most likely to say alcohol has no effect on cancer risk, with additional gaps seen among cigarette smokers, Black adults, and people with lower education.
- Alcohol is classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 carcinogen linked to at least seven cancers, and NIH estimates attribute about 5.5% of new cases and 5.8% of cancer deaths to drinking.
- Study authors urge correcting misbeliefs to reinforce compliance with consumption guidance highlighted by the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2025 advisory and to help reduce preventable alcohol-related cancers.