New Poll: Only 1 in 3 Link Alcohol to Cancer - Summary - MDSpire
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New Poll: Only 1 in 3 Link Alcohol to Cancer

“Individuals who drink alcohol were more likely to believe that alcohol consumption has no effect on cancer risk, which is alarming, given the growing burden of alcohol-related cancers in the United States."

  • By

  • Stanley Gajete

  • November 4, 2025

  • 4 min

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Objective:

To assess US adults' perceptions of the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk.

Approach:
  • Survey Methodology: A national survey of 6,793 US adults was conducted, utilizing the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey.
  • Data Analysis: Weighted multinomial logistic regression models estimated associations between demographic, behavioral, and belief factors and alcohol–cancer risk perceptions.
Key Findings:
  • Only 37.1% of respondents believed drinking alcohol increases cancer risk.
  • 52.9% of respondents were uncertain about the connection between alcohol and cancer.
  • 9.1% of respondents believed alcohol does not affect cancer risk.
  • 1% of respondents believed alcohol decreases cancer risk.
  • Adults who consumed alcohol in the past month were more likely to believe it does not affect cancer risk.
  • Lower education levels were associated with greater uncertainty regarding alcohol's cancer risk.
  • Non-Hispanic Black respondents were more likely to express uncertainty about alcohol's cancer risk compared to non-Hispanic White respondents.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • Cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation.
  • Self-reported measures may be affected by recall or social desirability bias.
  • Small subgroup sizes may limit precision of findings.
Conclusion:

Sources:

Original Source(s)

New Poll: Only 1 in 3 Link Alcohol to Cancer

  • by Stanley Gajete

  • November 4, 2025

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