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Reducing your alcohol intake supports better health and wellbeing. Choosing not to drink, or drinking less, is one way to support your long-term health and to reduce your cancer risk. The health benefits include, but are not limited to significant liver repair, improved sleep quality, more energy and clearer thinking.
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Alcohol is a Group 1 Carcinogen, meaning that any amount causes cancer in humans. Alcohol is in the same category for cancer risk as smoking and asbestos exposure. This connection exists no matter what sort of alcohol you drink, including wine, spirits, or beer. Alcohol is linked to at least 7 types of cancer:
Cutting down on alcohol is one way you can lower your cancer risk and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Keep in mind that no alcohol is the safest choice.
Video courtesy of the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education (FARE).
Alcohol increases your risk of cancer in the following ways:
When it comes to alcohol and cancer risk, not drinking alcohol is the safest choice. If you do choose to drink alcohol, the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Alcohol from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) sets limits to help reduce the risk of alcohol-related disease and injury. These guidelines outline the maximum amount of alcohol healthy adults can drink before their risk of serious health harm increases significantly. These are limits, not targets. Drinking less, or not drinking at all, will always be better for your health.
The effect of drinking on our health goes beyond the cancer risk of alcohol. Our alcohol intake can influence a lot of our health and wellbeing, from our sleep and energy to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. See the image below to discover the effects of alcohol on each organ in your body:
If you are planning a family, are pregnant or breastfeeding, the advice is to completely avoid alcohol to protect both you and your baby’s health.
Call us on 13 11 20 from Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm (excluding public holidays) or contact us online.
ADIS provides 24/7 support for Queenslanders with alcohol and other drug concerns and can be contacted on 1800 177 833. Your GP can also offer advice on creating a personalised plan that best fits your situation.
Sometimes, taking the first step is hard, and a little help, support, and encouragement can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to reach out.
On their own, alcohol and tobacco cause hundreds of cancer diagnoses in Queensland each year. When alcohol and tobacco are used together, they increase cancer risk more than either one on its own.
Up to 75% of cancers of the mouth, throat, airways and oesophagus are linked to mixing alcohol with smoking. Alcohol makes it easier for harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke to enter and damage cells in your body.
You will make a real difference to your health by choosing to live alcohol-free and quitting, or never starting, smoking. We understand that change can be challenging, so our expert team is available to help you find the resources and support your needs.
If you drink alcohol, cutting back reduces your cancer risk. For some people, going alcohol-free feels like the right choice. For others, reducing alcohol intake might look like progressively making little, intentional changes. Small shifts can make a meaningful difference over time, so we’ve gathered some simple, practical tips to help you:
1. Plan Your Week
Aim for Alcohol-Free Days: Introduce at least two alcohol-free days each week to give your body a consistent break.
Avoid Binge Drinking: Keep your consumption steady and low to prevent the related health spikes (strain on organs, damage DNA) associated with heavy sessions.
2. Pace Your Drinking
Hydrate and Alternate: Drink a glass of water or a non-alcoholic beverage
Sip Slowly: Take your time and consciously put your glass down between sips to practice mindful drinking.
Finish Before You Refill: Always empty your glass before topping it up. This allows you to keep an accurate count of how much you have consumed.
3. Smart Substitutions
Lower the Strength: Choose low-alcohol options or dilute your drink with mineral water.
Avoid Salty Snacks: Salt increases thirst, which often leads to drinking faster. opt for water if you are feeling thirsty.
4. Shift Your Social Focus
Change the Venue: Instead of meeting at a pub, suggest catching up over tea or coffee.
Get Active: Invite friends for a bushwalk, a game of sport, or a functional activity
Making lasting changes is better than quick fixes. And most importantly, you’re not alone. We’re here to support you, and you can also talk to your GP or Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 177 833 if you have any concerns or questions.
No. The cancer risk comes from the alcohol itself, not the type of drink. Beer, wine and spirits all contain alcohol and increase cancer risk.
Water does not dilute or flush out the toxins faster. When you drink alcohol, it is absorbed directly into your blood stream and is processed as a toxin through your liver. How quickly this happens depends on how much alcohol you have consumed and how healthy your liver is. Drinking water does not affect this process or speed it up. Keep in mind, it is important to drink water while you are drinking alcohol, because it keeps you hydrated and helps you limit the amount of alcohol you consume.
When it comes to cancer risk, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Even small amounts of alcohol can increase cancer risk. Quitting drinking is the fastest way to reduce cancer risk caused by alcohol.
It’s important to look after yourself during and after cancer treatment. Alcohol can negatively affect cancer treatment and recovery by interfering with how your liver processes cancer medications, reducing treatment effectiveness, increasing side effects and potentially increasing the risk of cancer recurrence. Going alcohol-free may support your treatment outcomes and decrease the risk of cancer recurrence.
Check with your health care team, including your doctor and nurses, about whether it is safe to drink alcohol during or immediately following chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.
Many people are not aware that alcohol increases cancer risk and that it is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.Alcohol has long been part of social and cultural life in Australia, and its links to cancer have not always been widely discussed. Public health campaigns have often focused on more immediate harms, such as drink driving, rather than on the link between alcohol and cancer risk. As awareness grows, more people are choosing to reduce their alcohol intake to support their health.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Alcohol Drugs Information Service – Queenslandhttps://adis.health.qld.gov.au/
Australian Government – Australia’s health 2018 https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/
National Health and Medical Research Council – Alcoholhttps://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol
