A new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has revealed that most American adults are unaware that drinking alcohol can increase the risk of cancer.
Although scientists have long known that alcohol is a preventable cause of several cancers, public understanding of this danger remains low. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, highlights the urgent need for more public education on the health risks of alcohol.
The research involved nearly 6,000 adults in the U.S. and showed that only 40% knew that alcohol is linked to cancer. Another 39% said they had never heard about this connection, and 20% were unsure.
These findings are troubling, especially since alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancer -- colorectal, breast, liver, mouth, voice box, throat, and esophageal cancer. Each year, alcohol-related cancers cause the deaths of more than 20,000 Americans, yet nearly 70% of U.S. adults continue to drink alcohol.
Dr. Sanjay Shete, one of the study's authors, says the results are clear: many people don't realize that even small amounts of alcohol can increase cancer risk. "The more a person drinks, the greater their risk of developing cancer," he explained. "And unfortunately, alcohol use in the U.S. is still rising."
In January 2025, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a national advisory that explained how alcohol raises cancer risk. The advisory also recommended adding a new health warning label on alcoholic drinks. Despite such efforts, public awareness remains uneven. The study found that some groups were less likely to be aware of the risk.
For example, only 30% of Black respondents and 35% of people with some college education or less knew about the alcohol-cancer link. Among those who believed cancer could not be prevented, only 31.5% were aware.
On the other hand, people who had experienced cancer were more likely to know about the connection. This suggests that personal experience with cancer may make people more likely to seek out or remember information about its causes.
The data came from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey. Participants were asked a simple question: "Have you ever heard or read that alcohol increases the risk of cancer?" They could answer "yes," "no," or "don't know." The results were analyzed by the researchers to identify patterns in public understanding.
While the survey provides valuable insight, it does have its limits. For example, it cannot prove what causes people to be more or less aware of the risks. It also doesn't explore why people continue to drink despite knowing the dangers.
Still, the study's message is clear: many Americans are unaware of the cancer risk linked to alcohol, and this lack of awareness may be putting their health at risk. Experts say there needs to be more effort to educate the public and encourage doctors to talk to their patients about the risks of alcohol.
Dr. Shete emphasized the need for national action: "We now know that even small amounts of alcohol raise cancer risk. That makes it critical to revise public health guidelines and help people make informed choices."
In conclusion, this study shows that too few people understand the link between alcohol and cancer. Raising awareness could help reduce alcohol use and save lives. As the researchers suggest, doctors, policymakers, and health campaigns all have a role to play in spreading the word.
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