A new study which is yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, which will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting next week found that cancer deaths related to alcohol use in the United States have more than doubled in the last 30 years. The number rose from under 12,000 in 1990 to over 23,000 in 2021. Men and people aged 55 and older are the most affected. Alcohol And Cancer RiskThe research team analyzed national death data from 1990 to 2021 to understand alcohol's role in cancer mortality. As per Dr Chinmay Jani, who is the lead author of the study and a clinical fellow in haematology and oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, "We already know other risk factors, such as tobacco, for cancer. However, it is very important to know that alcohol is also a risk factor and can be a carcinogen in many different cancers,” as reported in ABC News. Dr. Jani emphasized that even small amounts of alcohol can pose a risk. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that you are drinking every day,” he added, highlighting the importance of understanding the cumulative effects of alcohol over time.Seven Types Of Cancers Were ExaminedThe researchers focused on seven types of cancer linked to alcohol use: breast, liver, colorectal, throat, voice box, mouth, and esophageal. While alcohol does not cause every case of these cancers, it is a known contributing factor in a significant portion of them.In 1991, alcohol-related cancer deaths accounted for 2.5% of all cancer deaths in men and 1.46% in women. By 2021, these figures rose to 4.2% in men and 1.85% in women. The increase in men was particularly striking — a 56% rise in alcohol-related cancer deaths — while for women, the increase was nearly 8%, according to NBC News.Cancer Affecting Adults And Men Disproportionately Dr Jani also noted a gender gap in the findings. He said, “It was not surprising that it was higher in men, but it was certainly surprising how much higher it was in men versus women.” As per the data, cancer deaths related to alcohol were more common in men and individuals aged 55 and over. In men, within this age group, the death rose by more than 1% every year from 2001 to 2021. “The carcinogenic effect probably isn’t affecting you right away in your younger age,” Dr. Jani explained. “But as you continue to drink as you age, this carcinogen has an accumulative effect on the body.”Most Deadly CancerAmong the seven cancers linked to alcohol, liver, colorectal, and esophageal cancers were the deadliest overall in 2021. For men, liver cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths. For women, breast cancer ranked highest.The findings underscore the growing public health concern around alcohol consumption and the urgent need for greater awareness about its long-term health effects.