Alcohol is responsible for around 5,000 new cases of cancer in Australia each year.
Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen alongside tobacco and asbestos, which means each of these substances is known to cause cancer in humans.
Reducing your alcohol use reduces your risk of cancer.
Reducing your alcohol use reduces your risk of cancer.
Here are five ways alcohol increases your risk of cancer:
Throughout her early adulthood, Kathryn was a binge drinker – so much so, she says, that it felt like part of her identity. Later, as a mum of three sons, a ‘morning after’ moment on a family holiday prompted a decision to take a break from alcohol.
It was soon after this that Kathryn was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Kathryn started researching information on her diagnosis. Only then did she learn about the direct links between alcohol consumption and breast cancer.
Watch Kathryn’s story on how she gave up alcohol for her health.
There is no safe level of alcohol when it comes to cancer – even drinking at low levels increases your risk. But the more alcohol you drink over time, the higher your risk of cancer.
This means you can reduce your risk of cancer by reducing the amount of alcohol you drink.
The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend having no more than 10 standard alcoholic drinks in a week to reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases, and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day to reduce your risk of injuries or accidents.
The less you drink, the lower your risk of cancer, other diseases and injury.
Learn more about the Australian Alcohol Guidelines and the evidence behind them.
Explore ways to reduce your risk by reducing the amount of alcohol you drink.
More information
To find a local GP, you can call 1800 022 222 or visit healthdirect.gov.au. To find a local psychologist, visit psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist. If you need other support to reduce your drinking, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
Will you join the community taking action on alcohol?
FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
Privacy Statement
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FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C
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