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Live Science

How does alcohol cause cancer?

Live Science
Summary
Nutrition label

70% Informative

In 2025 , the U.S. surgeon general issued an advisory on the link between alcohol and cancer risk.

Research suggests alcohol drives cancer by at least five different mechanisms.

Ethanol can disrupt DNA methylation, a process in which molecules latch on to DNA molecules and thus determine whether a gene is active.

A third mechanism involves harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species.

When it comes to alcohol and cancer, there's truly no safe dose.

This doesn’t mean that everyone who drinks any amount is guaranteed to get cancer.

A person's risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, like family history of the disease.

On average, studies find that cutting back on alcohol consumption helps to lower the risk of cancer.

VR Score

71

Informative language

71

Neutral language

39

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

57

Offensive language

likely offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

long-living