- Alcoholic beverages are on the Proposition 65 list for cancer.
- Consuming alcoholic beverages increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, breast, colon, and rectum.
Alcohol increases cancer risk by breaking down in the body to acetaldehyde, a chemical that can cause cancer by damaging DNA.
Drinking alcoholic beverages can also raise estrogen levels, which are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Alcohol can also increase cancer risk in other ways, and may harm the body’s ability to process certain nutrients.
According to the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, the risk of cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Even moderate drinking increases the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer in women.
People who use both alcohol and tobacco have a much greater risk of developing cancers of the mouth and throat than people who use either alcohol or tobacco.
Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to 1 drink per day for women, and up to 2 drinks per day for men, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture.
The risk of alcohol-related cancers is influenced by a person’s genes, specifically the genes that relate to chemical reactions involved in breaking down alcohol.
Some people, particularly those of Chinese, Korean, or Japanese descent, may carry a gene that limits their ability to detoxify alcohol, and increases their risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and esophagus.
If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. If you are concerned that you may be drinking too much alcohol, call 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) to find out about support and treatment options, in English and Spanish. This is the toll-free telephone number for alcohol and drug information, and for treatment referral assistance, for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
General Fact Sheets and Resources
- US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
National Cancer Institute (NCI) - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- American Cancer Society
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
Support Resources
- US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Proposition 65
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)- Proposition 65: Background
- Proposition 65: The List of Chemicals
- Proposition 65: Fact Sheets