Time to Re-think How We Drink? Certain Cancers Linked to Alcohol.

Each year, millions take on challenges like "Dry January" or "Sober October" — brief breaks from alcohol to reset and refresh. But what if there was a bigger reason to reconsider drinking altogether?

This past January, the U.S. Surgeon General released a report confirming a sobering reality: alcohol is a direct cause of cancer.

Yes, cancer.

Decades of research from the CDC, NIH, and FDA show a clear link between alcohol and multiple cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, colon, and breast cancer.‌

‌The risk isn’t just for heavy drinkers — even moderate consumption can increase the likelihood of developing these diseases. In fact, alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer, after smoking and obesity.

‌The Science Behind the Risk

‌When you drink, your body converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen. This chemical damages DNA, disrupts cellular repair processes, and fuels inflammation — creating the perfect conditions for cancer to develop.

‌Normal epithelial cells in the mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, and rectum, when exposed to alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde, can undergo transformation leading to cancer in these anatomical sites, explains Quintin Pan, PhD, Deputy Director of Research at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.

‌For women, the risks are particularly alarming. One in six breast cancer cases is linked to alcohol, which contributes to DNA damage but also raises estrogen levels. These combined effects can trigger uncontrolled cell growth in breast tissue. And it’s not just about long-term effects — every drink adds up, increasing risk over a lifetime. ‌

A Crisis in Plain Sight

‌‌Alcohol-related cancer isn’t getting the attention it deserves.

While opioid overdoses and fentanyl deaths have dominated headlines, alcohol quietly claims even more lives every year. And its misuse has skyrocketed — especially among women, minorities, and older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic made matters worse, increasing alcohol dependency as people turned to drinking to cope with stress and isolation.

‌Alcohol is deeply embedded in our culture. It’s part of celebrations, work events, and even memes about “Mom Juice.” But behind the casual normalization, the health risks are severe. That’s why April — Alcohol Awareness Month — is the perfect time to confront this crisis head-on.

If someone is addicted to alcohol, though, they almost never change their behavior based only on evidence of harm, says Ray Isackila, LPCC, LICDC, NCPGI, Director of Addiction Recovery Services in the UH Department of Psychiatry. “Our patients have crossed over into addiction and their thought processes about drinking are already irrational – the lay term would be denial,” he says.

‌“But they respond to treatment if they are presented with genuine factual information (not scare tactics), and are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Alcohol Dependence is very treatable, and we have great outcomes if the person completes an evidence-based treatment program."

‌“But what this research shows is something that should impact all of us. It is big news.”

What UH Is Doing to Help

‌At University Hospitals, we believe knowledge is power — and support is essential. That’s why we offer a full spectrum of addiction recovery services, including:

• Substance use evaluations to help determine the right level of care.
• Outpatient detoxification to safely manage withdrawal.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP), with morning and evening options for flexibility.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) for those needing more structured support.
• Individual therapy and family counseling to address the root causes of addiction.

Our Addiction Recovery Services are available at the W.O. Walker Center in University Circle and at UH Westlake Behavioral Health. If you or someone you know is struggling, call 216-983-3066 to take the first step toward healing.

‌Fighting Cancer with Cutting-Edge Care

‌For those already facing cancer, there is hope. UH Seidman Cancer Center is at the forefront of research, treatment, and innovations, including for cancers related to alcohol use. It is a top site for cancer clinical trials and part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, which provides patients with access to the latest treatment options and allows them to benefit more quickly from medical breakthroughs.

We have clinical trials that include those which repurpose existing drugs for different uses in cancer, such as ivosidenib for pancreatic cancer and fenofibrate, a cholesterol drug, for HPV+ cancers.

UH Seidman Cancer Center is also on the forefront of technology and among the first in North America with the latest in adaptive radiotherapy, which can track a tumor in real time. We also have a robust team of physicians doing another treatment called HIPEC, which is an innovative heated chemotherapy treatment for advanced colon, stomach, and ovarian cancers.

You can see that as part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, we ensure our patients receive the best possible care, backed by the latest science.

Rethinking Alcohol — For Good Health

‌The evidence is clear: the safest level of alcohol consumption is none. While that might seem extreme, it’s no different from our approach to smoking. Just as quitting tobacco reduces cancer risk, stopping or cutting back on alcohol can have life-saving benefits.

If you’re looking for a reason to make a change, let the evidence of alcohol’s link to cancer become your motivation. And know that at University Hospitals, we’re here to support you — every step of the way.