A lot of people are unaware of links between alcohol and cancer, and many others are confused about the details. The possible connections between alcohol consumption and cancer risk have been widely discussed in the aftermath of a January 2025 report from the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General stating that previously recommended “safe” amounts of alcohol might not be accurate. “The big highlight that came through in a lot of the media and in this specific report was that maybe the amounts of alcohol that we had been counseled to tell our patients was safe was maybe a little bit of an overshot,” says Dionisia Quiroga, DO, PhD, a breast medical oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. “In reality, a lot of studies suggest that any type of alcohol use may not be safe in terms of cancer risk.” Quiroga provides more info about possible links between alcohol and cancer risk on our Cancer-Free World Podcast. Watch on the video player above or on YouTube, and listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Previous research indicated that one alcoholic drink per day for women and two for men was likely a safe level of consumption. As years of research involving thousands of people continues to be examined, however, evidence shows that even a small amount of alcohol may increase cancer risk. The findings are of particular interest to researchers studying possible reasons why alcohol use can lead to cancer. “There are many hypotheses on how alcohol can induce tumor-promoting environments and tumor growth,” Quiroga says. “One is that alcohol in our system breaks down into certain substances that can cause DNA damage, which could lead to cancer development.” Research has also uncovered potential information gaps about alcohol’s impact on cancer risk. “One of the data findings was that most Americans don’t know alcohol is a risk factor for cancer development,” Quiroga says. “It’s important that people know so they are empowered to make the right decisions for themselves.” That information is a valuable tool in the global effort to promote cancer prevention through lifestyle choices. “Alcohol can alter the hormones in the body, and most cases of breast cancer are linked to some sort of hormone issue,” Quiroga says. “Drinking is also tied to other types of cancer where alcohol passes through the body and is processed, such as head and neck cancer, colon cancer and liver cancer, since the liver breaks down alcohol.” Click here to learn more about cancer risks, symptoms and treatment at The Ohio State University.