Overview
- Published Oct. 30 in JAMA Oncology, the national analysis found 52.9% of adults did not know alcohol affects cancer risk, 37.1% recognized the link, and 1% believed drinking lowers risk.
- The study examined nearly 7,000 U.S. adults from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey using a single question on perceived cancer risk from alcohol.
- Low awareness was concentrated among current smokers, Black adults, people with lower education, and those who believe cancer is not preventable.
- Respondents who had recently consumed alcohol were more likely to say drinking has no effect on cancer risk.
- Alcohol is a WHO Group 1 carcinogen linked to multiple cancers, and NIH estimates it accounts for about 5.5% of new cases and 5.8% of cancer deaths, reinforcing calls to align messaging with the 2025 U.S. Surgeon General advisory.