Most Americans Clueless About Alcohol-Cancer Link

A new study from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has revealed a startling lack of awareness among Americans about the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. Published in JAMA Oncology, the research found that only 37.1% of adults surveyed knew that drinking alcohol increases cancer risk.

Out of the 7,000 people who took part in the national survey, more than half—52.9%—believed alcohol has “no effect” on cancer risk, while about 1% even thought it could reduce the risk.

According to Science Daily, the World Health Organization classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco and asbestos. Alcohol use has been tied to at least seven types of cancer, including breast and liver cancer, and is estimated to account for roughly 5.5% of new cancer cases and nearly 6% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Researchers noted that this was the first major study to examine public beliefs about alcohol and cancer risk in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when alcohol consumption increased significantly.

The study also found that those who had recently consumed alcohol were more likely to believe that drinking has no impact on cancer risk. Lead author Dr. Sanjay Shete expressed concern about this pattern, saying, “It’s troubling that the people who drink are often the ones who don’t believe alcohol increases their cancer risk. Since beliefs play a key role in shaping healthy behavior, correcting these misconceptions is crucial to reducing the growing number of alcohol-related cancers.”

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