Even Small Cuts to Drinking Could Save Lives, Research Finds
22 Jan 2026
The research was led by La Trobe University and looked at more than seven decades of national data, including alcohol and tobacco use, health spending and cancer deaths. The results point to long-term alcohol consumption as a major driver of several common cancers.
According to the study, alcohol plays a role in:
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Almost half of upper aerodigestive tract cancer deaths in men, and around one in five in women
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Nearly half of liver cancer deaths in men
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A share of colorectal cancer deaths in both men and women
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More than one in ten breast cancer deaths in women
The researchers also modelled what would happen if average alcohol intake dropped slightly. They found that a one-litre reduction per person each year could lead to measurable declines in cancer deaths across all of these cancer types.
The greatest effects were seen in people aged over 50. With Australia’s ageing population and higher-risk drinking more common in people in their 60s, the study warns that cancer deaths linked to alcohol will continue to climb unless prevention efforts are strengthened.
The authors note that broad public health measures — such as higher alcohol prices, limits on sales and tighter advertising rules — have previously been shown to reduce overall drinking and heavy alcohol use.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Jason Jiang said that while no level of alcohol is considered safe for cancer risk, wider adherence to drinking guidelines could substantially reduce the number of alcohol-related cancers.
Source: British Journal of Cancer; La Trobe University
