Harrowing map shows cancer explosion that’ll make you put down your favorite drink… have you left it too late?
Drinking alcohol is fueling a silent epidemic of cancer that’s now killing 70 Americans every day, a study has claimed.
Researchers from the University of Miami say the number of American adults dying from alcohol-linked cancers has doubled over the last three decades.
In 2021, the latest date available, they estimated 23,207 people died from cancer caused by alcohol — surging from 11,896 deaths in 1990.
Liver cancer was the most common linked with alcohol, with cases jumping 117 percent over the same period, alongside colon and esophageal cancer.
Nationwide, the researchers found Washington DC was hit hardest — recording the highest rate of alcohol-related cancer deaths. At the other end of the scale, Utah had the lowest rate.
Dr Chinmay Jani, the oncologist who led the study, warned alcohol could cause cancer because it was made from ethanol, which is broken down in the body into acetaldehyde — a known carcinogen.
His co-author Dr Gilberto Lopes, also an oncologist, said: ‘Alcohol is a leading preventable [cancer] risk factor. It’s not about prohibition, it’s more about prevention.
‘Increasing awareness and targeted policies will help us prevent multiple cancer cases and, therefore, reduce cancer mortality.’
In addition to how much a person drinks, cancer risks can also increase based on when a person drinks – with alcohol having a more profound effect on the body as people age.
For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project — a UN-backed database that tracks causes of death worldwide, including those linked to alcohol.
To estimate how many cancer deaths were caused by alcohol, the database used statistical models to calculate the number of deaths from cancer that were linked to alcohol.
Figures were converted into rates to allow for comparison between states and sexes.
Overall, among men, the team found the alcohol-associated cancer death rate was highest in Washington DC at 10 deaths per 100,000 people.
It was followed by Texas, with a rate of 7.5, and Hawaii, with a rate of 7.2.
Among women, Washington DC also had the highest rate of cancer deaths linked to alcohol — with 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 people.
Second was New Hampshire, at three, and third was Maryland, at 2.75.
DC may rank top because it is among the areas with the highest levels of binge drinking and heavy drinking in the nation.
A 2023 CDC study, for example, found that 27.2 percent of adults in the district reported binge drinking, outranking all states.
It is also home to the nation’s capital and a high concentration of wealthy individuals and young professionals, who may more commonly indulge in an alcoholic beverage.
A young group of friends pictured enjoying a beverage (stock image)
At the other end of the scale was Utah, which was found to have the lowest fatality rate from cancers estimated to have been caused by alcohol nationwide — among both men and women.
This is likely because it has a large population of Mormons — whose scripture prohibits the consumption of alcohol of any kind.
When you drink alcohol is also a risk factor for health complications. A night of heavy drinking at 51 is very different than at 21.
While experts say damage done from alcohol is cumulative over a lifetime, there are certain effects people will experience in each decade of life.
Middle age – around the ages of 35 to 50 years old – the health effects of drinking begin to emerge, including cancer, heart disease and liver disease.
In middle age, the body is less able to process alcohol, meaning it could linger in the body longer, doing more damage. Alcoholic beverages may also lead to more blood sugar issues the older a person is and worsen high blood pressure.
People often begin taking medications in middle age, such as for cholesterol, blood pressure or heart function. Mixing these with alcohol can cause serious complications, including excessive or internal bleeding.
While experts advise it’s best to never start drinking, the earlier you stop, the better.
Overall, colon cancer proportionally saw the sharpest rise in alcohol-linked cancer deaths over the 30-year period — rising 32 percent from 4.92 to 6.5 alcohol-related cancer deaths per 100,000 people.
Esophageal cancer saw the second largest rise, up by 20.1 percent, while pharynx cancers saw the third highest rise, up by 18.3 percent.
Colon cancer cases are rising among young adults, with some suggesting this could be linked to alcohol consumption — although this is falling in younger age groups.
Studies suggest that people who develop colon cancer may have a less diverse microbiome, with this raising the risk of inflammation, potentially raising the risk of cancer.
The esophagus and larynx come into direct contact with alcohol when someone drinks, which may raise the risk of the cancer, and the substance is broken down in the liver and passes through the colon, also raising the risk of cancer.
Dr Jani said: ‘These state-by-state differences really highlight how much local culture, policy, and access to care shape outcomes.
‘What stood out was the rise in states like Tennessee and New Mexico, where previous studies have shown higher alcohol use.
‘It reinforces the need for targeted awareness and interventions in these areas — starting local can pave the way for broader, national efforts.’
Those aged between 35 and 54 maintained a higher drinking rate, at 69 percent. Between 2001 and 2003, 67 percent of this age group said they were drinking
The study also found that cancer-related alcohol deaths were rising among men, but falling among women.
It estimated over the study period, these rose by 10 percent in men — but declined 14 percent in women. Overall, women accounted for a much lower proportion of deaths.
Surveys suggest that 62 percent of Americans drink alcohol, while 38 percent say they abstain completely.
Among drinkers, the average American consumes about 2.83 gallons of pure alcohol per year — equivalent to about 600 cocktails or pints of beer per year. Sixty-nine percent say they consumed alcohol within the last week.
Estimates suggest about 61.4million people aged 12 and up binge drink, defined as drinking four or more drinks on an occasion for women, and five or more for men.
In 2021, liver cancer caused by alcohol was linked to 7,408 deaths every year.
In the same year, colon cancer was linked to 4,687 deaths, while esophageal cancers were linked to 3,948 deaths.
The team also detected that alcohol-linked deaths were rising faster among over-50s, surging by 16 percent compared to 7.8 percent among younger adults.
This didn’t include deaths in accidents or car crashes that may also be linked to alcohol consumption.
For decades, studies suggested there was some benefit to drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, which was thought to be linked to its destressing effects.
But in recent years, research has swung the other way.
Many studies have since shown that consuming alcohol in any amount raises the risk of everything from cancer to heart disease, liver disease and high blood pressure.
The US is currently considering its new dietary guidelines, which will set a recommended level for alcohol consumption.
Current guidelines state that men should not consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day, while women should not consume more than one a day.
It is not clear what the new guidelines may recommend, with recent reports suggesting the Trump administration is considering shelving the document entirely.
