Most people know that drinking alcohol can affect your health, but did you know it also increases your risk of cancer?
A recent study led by Research Fellow Dr Peter Sarich from The Daffodil Centre, a joint venture between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, has revealed just how harmful alcohol can be. The research, published in the medical journal Public Health, found that alcohol use is linked to a higher likelihood of harm from cancer and other serious health conditions.
"We already know that alcohol causes several types of cancer," says Dr Sarich, "But this research helps us understand just how much it can impact our long-term health-even for people who might not think they're drinking excessively."
Just one extra drink a day makes a difference.
The study followed more than 181,000 Australians for over 11 years. It found that drinking just seven more alcoholic drinks a week, or one extra drink a day, increases your risk of harm from:
- Alcohol-related cancers by 12%
- Digestive system conditions by 32%
- Heart-related issues by 7%
- Overall poor health outcomes by 6%
"This isn't just about binge drinking," says Dr Sarich. "These are risks that come with regular, moderate level drinking too."
What do the Australian guidelines say?
To help reduce health risks, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends:
- No more than 10 standard drinks per week, and
- No more than 4 standard drinks on any one day
Drinking at these levels does not eliminate the risks altogether, but it will help to lower your risk. The less you drink, the better your chances of staying well in the long run.
Alcohol is a known cause of cancer
Alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of several cancers, including:
- Bowel
- Breast
- Mouth
- Throat
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Liver
Even small amounts of alcohol increase cancer risk, so the less you drink, the lower your risk.
Clare Hughes, Chair of the Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee at Cancer Council and Nutrition and Alcohol Unit Manager at Cancer Council NSW, recommends reducing alcohol use to reduce the risks of alcohol-related cancers.
"Many Australians don't realise that alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, which puts it in the same category as tobacco and asbestos when it comes to the strength of evidence that it causes cancer," Hughes said.
Alcohol's impact on health in Australia
In 2021, Daffodil Centre estimates showed that thousands of Australians experienced serious health consequences related to alcohol, including that alcohol was responsible for 3.4% of all cancer deaths in Australia.
With numbers like these, reducing alcohol use could save thousands of lives.
What can be done?
Cancer Council NSW is calling for stronger policies to reduce alcohol-related harm, including:
🚨 Public awareness campaigns on alcohol and cancer risk such as Cancer Council's 2025 'Spread' campaign
⚠️ Warning labels about alcohol and cancer risk on all alcohol products
💰 Pricing policies such as taxing alcohol products based on the volume of alcohol they contain and setting a minimum price for alcohol products
📣 Government restrictions on alcohol advertising, promotion and sports sponsorship to reduce community - particularly children's - exposure to alcohol marketing
⛔ Limits on the availability of alcohol such as restrictions on the number of alcohol retailers and their trading hours
"For awareness campaigns to be effective, they must be supported by policies that make it easier for Australians to reduce their alcohol use," said Hughes.
How can you reduce your risk?
The best way to lower your cancer risk is to reduce or avoid alcohol. We recommend,
- If you don't drink, don't start.
- If you do drink, follow the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines of no more that 10 standard drinks per week, and no more than 4 on any day
Cutting back on alcohol, even a little, can make a big difference to your health.
There is no safe amount of alcohol when it comes to cancer risk, but reducing your use can make a difference! Check out how your drinking adds up at cancercouncil.com.au/drink-less
If you have any questions about cancer, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20
About the Spread Campaign
The Spread campaign conveys the message that alcohol causes cancer, including in the breast, liver, mouth, throat, stomach and bowel; and every drink increases a person's risk of developing alcohol-caused cancer.
To learn more, visit cancercouncil.com.au/drink-less
