Trends in alcohol-linked cancer mortality

Investigators examined 3 decades of US cancer mortality estimates across age, sex, region, and cancer type.

By
Kathryn Wighton
September 28, 2026
3 min

MDSpire News

Overview

Alcohol-attributable cancer mortality in the U.S. doubled from 1990 to 2023, with age-standardized rates rising from 3.8 to 4.1 per 100,000 individuals, according to a population-based observational analysis. The analysis highlights significant disparities in mortality rates among different demographics, particularly males and older adults.

Background

Understanding the trends in alcohol-linked cancer mortality is crucial as it informs public health strategies and prevention efforts. Alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor for several cancer types.

Data Highlights

Year	Estimated Alcohol-Attributable Cancer Mortality	Age-Standardized Mortality Rate
1990	11,361	3.8 per 100,000
2023	23,126	4.1 per 100,000

Key Findings

Alcohol-attributable cancer mortality increased from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.
Age-standardized mortality rates rose 14% among males and decreased 16% among females.
The percentage of age-standardized mortality attributable to alcohol increased from 2.5% to 4.8% among males and from 1.8% to 2.0% among females.
Hepatic, esophageal, and colorectal cancers accounted for significant proportions of alcohol-attributable mortalities.
In 2023, 17,477 estimated alcohol-attributable cancer mortalities occurred among males aged 55 years or older.
Overall cancer mortality declined among younger males and females, while alcohol-attributable cancer mortality increased.

Clinical Implications

The findings emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to address alcohol consumption as a significant risk factor for cancer. Increased awareness and targeted prevention strategies may help mitigate the rising trend of alcohol-attributable cancer mortality.

Conclusion

The doubling of alcohol-attributable cancer mortality in the U.S. over the past three decades highlights a critical public health issue. Continued monitoring and intervention efforts are essential to address this growing concern.