Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Alcoholic beverages
Summary
Drinking alcohol is associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon. Risk rises with amount consumed.
Detail
Alcoholic beverages and acetaldehyde formed during alcohol metabolism are both classified Group 1 by IARC with sufficient evidence in humans. Major cancer bodies — including WHO, IARC, WCRF and Cancer Research UK — note alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, breast, colon and rectum. Risk rises with amount consumed and is much higher in people who both drink and use tobacco. There is no demonstrated risk-free level.
Regional relevance
global
Documented in these products
Presence in a product category doesn't imply the product causes cancer. Click each to see the source and context.
Sources
Primary sources
Supporting sources
- Canadian Cancer Society — Canadian Cancer Society — Reduce your risk
- ACS — ACS — Known and Probable Human Carcinogens
- Cancer Research UK — Cancer Research UK — Causes of cancer and reducing your risk
- IARC / WHO — European Code Against Cancer — European Code Against Cancer (5th edition) — 14 ways you can help prevent cancer
- NTP — NTP — Report on Carcinogens (US National Toxicology Program)
- Cancer Council Australia — Cancer Council Australia — Causes of cancer
- WCRF/AICR — WCRF/AICR — Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective (Third Expert Report)
- WCRF/AICR — WCRF — Cancer Prevention Recommendations
Consumer references
Third-party tools some readers use alongside primary evidence. Meyron doesn't endorse them; we link them because you'll otherwise hit them anyway.
- EWG Dirty Dozen (pesticide residues on produce)
Consumer ranking of produce items with the highest pesticide residues.
- California Prop 65 list
State of California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
- Yuka (packaged-food & cosmetics scanner)
Consumer app that rates packaged-food and cosmetic products.