Alcohol-Related Cancer Deaths Rising Despite Overall Decline in Cancer Mortality: Lancet
Although overall cancer mortality has steadily declined in recent decades, deaths attributable to alcohol are increasing. The proportion of alcohol-related cancer deaths has risen across most cancer types, age groups, and both sexes. Low public awareness may contribute to this trend, with only 45% of American adults recognizing alcohol as a cancer risk factor compared with 89% who recognize the cancer risks associated with tobacco. The study was published in The Lancet Regional Health by Chinmay T. and colleagues.
To evaluate the long-term trends in national statistics, investigators conducted a population-based observational study based on data extracted from the Global Burden of Disease database for the period between 1990 and 2023. Investigators analyzed age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) per 100,000 people and determined the contribution of deaths caused by cancer associated with heavy alcohol use, which is drinking above the theoretical minimum risk exposure.
Researchers assessed overall mortality and deaths due to ten separate types of cancer in all 50 states and District of Columbia in the United States. Data were stratified by gender and age groups, which included young adults between 20 and 54 years of age compared to adults aged 55 years and older. Joinpoint regression modeling combined with Monte Carlo permutation testing was used to determine estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) and 95% confidence intervals.
Key findings:
- Mortality rates per 100,000 population were significantly higher among adults aged 55 years and older (19.2; 95% CI, 12.8–28.7) compared to younger adults aged 20 to 54 years (2.4; 95% CI, 1.4–3.4).
- Males exhibited markedly higher alcohol-attributable cancer mortality rates (6.4 per 100,000; 95% CI, 3.8–9.7) than females (2.1 per 100,000; 95% CI, 1.4–3.0).
- In 2023, liver cancer caused the highest alcohol-related mortality rate in older males (12.7 per 100,000; 95% CI, 11.2–14.4), whereas breast cancer drove the highest alcohol-related mortality rate in older females (2.4 per 100,000; 95% CI, 0.9–5.9).
- Colorectal cancer led alcohol-related mortality in younger males (0.9 per 100,000; 95% CI, 0.4–1.4), while breast cancer predominated in younger females (0.9 per 100,000; 95% CI, 0.5–1.4).
- The proportion of mortality attributable to alcohol increased across most malignancies, with liver cancer demonstrating the greatest surge at a 113.9% increase.
- Among all regions, the District of Columbia recorded the highest ASMR (Males: 9.8 [95% CI, 6.0–14.1]; Females: 3.5 [95% CI, 2.2–5.2]), whereas Utah recorded the lowest rates (Males: 3.9 [95% CI, 2.4–5.9]; Females: 1.4 [95% CI, 0.9–2.0]).
Alcohol-related cancer deaths in the USA have become much more prevalent in the past 30 years, particularly affecting older individuals and men. Based on the findings of this study, it is critical to note that increases in death rates due to the major cancers require urgent measures aimed at preventing these diseases and educating people about them. Effective policy-making, clinical screening, and proper labeling should be implemented to warn about the dangerous impact of alcohol on health.
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