Regular Drink Consumption Linked to Increased Colorectal Cancer Risk
- results published this week in the journal Cancer showed that lifetime heavy drinkers had a 25 percent higher risk of developing colorectal cancer and a 95 percent higher...
- Heavy drinkers who quit completely or substantially cut back saw their odds of developing colorectal cancer drop.
- "There was no difference in colorectal cancer risk between light drinkers and former drinkers," says the co-senior study author Erikka Lotfield,phd,MPH,a researcher with the National Cancer Institute.
results published this week in the journal Cancer showed that lifetime heavy drinkers had a 25 percent higher risk of developing colorectal cancer and a 95 percent higher risk of developing rectal cancer than lifetime light drinkers.
it’s possible, though, for that risk to be reversed. Heavy drinkers who quit completely or substantially cut back saw their odds of developing colorectal cancer drop.
“There was no difference in colorectal cancer risk between light drinkers and former drinkers,” says the co-senior study author Erikka Lotfield,phd,MPH,a researcher with the National Cancer Institute.
Alcohol Damage Builds Over a Lifetime
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The findings were based on data from just over 88,000 adults who were enrolled in the National Cancer Institute’s Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.
The study separated participants into three groups:
- Light Drinkers less than 7 drinks per week for women, or less than 14 per week for men
- Moderate Drinkers Between 7 and 14 drinks per week for women, or 14 and 21 drinks for men
- Heavy Drinkers More than 14 drinks per week for women, or more than 21 drinks for men
Over 20 years of follow-up, almost 1,700 participants developed colorectal cancer, with people who drank heavily throughout that time period disproportionately represented.
“What this study really underscores is that alcohol risk builds over time,” says Cedrek McFadden, MD, a colorectal surgeon with Prisma Health in Greenville, South carolina, and a medical adviser to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
“It is not just about what someone drank last year or last weekend,” adds Dr. mcfadden, who was not involved in the study. “Looking at lifetime drinking patterns gives us a clearer picture of how long-term exposure relates to colorectal cancer, and the association was especially noticeable for rectal cancer. From a clinical standpoint,that reinforces alcohol as a meaningful and preventable cancer risk factor rather than a theoretical one.”
Clear benefits From Cutting Back on Alcohol
Study participants reported their drinking habits on four separate occasions during the 20 years of follow-up. This allowed researchers to further separate participants into never drinkers, former drinkers, and current drinkers, and analyze how changes in drinking over time may impact cancer risk.
they found that former heavy drinkers could lower their odds to the same level as current light drinkers by quitting or seriously cutting back on alcohol.
“What’s especially important is that the study sugge
Colorectal Cancer Incidence in Young Adults
Colorectal cancer rates are increasing among adults under 50 in the United States, despite overall declining rates of alcohol consumption in young adults.The reasons for this increase are currently unclear and are the subject of ongoing research. The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second leading cause in women in the same age group.
Alcohol Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk
While the relationship between alcohol and colorectal cancer is not fully understood, evidence suggests a correlation. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that even light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. This risk increases with higher levels of alcohol intake. Though, experts emphasize that alcohol is not the sole contributing factor to the rising incidence in younger adults.
A meta-analysis published in The Lancet Oncology in 2023 found that each 10g of alcohol consumed per day was associated with an 8% increased risk of colorectal cancer. source: The Lancet Oncology
Current Screening Recommendations
The most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer and detect it early remains regular screening.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that screening begin at age 45 for individuals at average risk. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors may need to begin screening earlier.
In 2018, the American Cancer society lowered its recommended age for begining regular colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45. Source: American Cancer Society Press Release
Research into Other Contributing Factors
Researchers are actively investigating other potential causes for the increase in colorectal cancer among young adults. These include changes in diet, obesity, the gut microbiome, and environmental factors. The national Cancer Institute (NCI) is funding several studies to explore these areas. As of January 27, 2026, no definitive alternative cause has been identified, but research is ongoing.
A study published in *Gut* in 2022 suggested a link between ultra-processed food consumption and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Source: Gut