Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of cancer, but public awareness of the connection remains strikingly low in the United States, with just 40% of American adults recognizing alcohol as a cancer risk, according to a survey-based study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

The findings reveal that 39% of respondents were not aware of the connection between cancer and alcohol and an additional 20% were uncertain whether they have heard or read about the link. Additionally, more than 30% of respondents believe that cancer prevention is not possible.

Consuming alcohol has been linked to at least seven types of cancer, including colorectal, breast, liver, mouth, voice box, throat and esophageal. In January 2025, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory about how alcohol increases cancer risk that also called for a new health warning label on alcoholic beverages.

A total of 5,937 respondents (mean age, 49 years; half women) were included in the study. Of these, 61.3% were non-Hispanic White; 17.0% were Hispanic; 5.7% were non-Hispanic Asian; 10.9% were non-Hispanic Black; and 5.0% were non-Hispanic other. Ten percent of respondents had a personal history of cancer, and 30.6% believed that cancer prevention is not possible.

Overall, 40.6% of respondents were aware that alcohol increases cancer risk, 39.1% were not aware, and 20.4% were uncertain.

The study was based on data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey  and was measured through the question: “Have you ever heard or read that alcohol increases the risk of cancer?” Possible responses were: “yes,” “no,” or “don’t know.”

The authors are calling for the “immediate revision of drinking guidelines” as a national priority.

To read the full study, published in JAMA Oncology, click here

To read the Surgeon General’s advisory, click here