Alcohol Consumption

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, liver, colon, and rectum in men and women and of breast cancer in women. The risk of developing cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed and with the length of time over which alcohol is consumed regularly. Even one drink per day can increase the risk of breast and head and neck cancers. For colon and rectum cancer, risk consistently increases beginning at about two drinks per day and risk of liver cancer begins increasing at about three drinks per day. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is carcinogenic to humans. Furthermore, co-use of alcohol and combustible tobacco such as cigarettes or cigars can greatly increase the risk of head and neck cancers. Alcoholic beverage intake is not recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. If alcohol is consumed, it should be in moderation. Overall, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. There are people who should not drink at all, including people who are pregnant or might be pregnant, are younger than 21, have certain medical conditions, are taking certain medications, can’t control the amount they drink, or are recovering from alcohol use disorder.