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Tipplers beware: Six types of cancer are linked to alcohol consumption, according to a recent report from the American Association of Cancer Research. 

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The AACR's Cancer Progress Report 2024 said the risk factors for tipplers are head and neck, esophageal, breast, colorectal, liver, and stomach cancers.

Watch: No Buzz, No Problem: Non-Alcoholic Drinks Gain Popularity In Germany | WION Fineprint

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Alcohol, along with smoking, is already known to be a risk factor for cancer. In the US, 5.4 per cent of cancers were linked to alcohol, busting the common perception that a little bit of the spirit is not harmful.

Also read: Alcohol-induced blackouts linked to drinking patterns, not just quantity: Study

How does alcohol lead to cancer? 

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Drinking can damage DNA and affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients. The habit can change hormone balance in the body. Drinking as a young person could increase the possibility of you getting cancer in your later years.

Women drinking while pregnant are increasing the risk of leukaemia for their newborns, the report noted.

Also read: Drinking in moderation for good health might be a myth, new study reveals

In 2019, the year for which complete data is available, one in 20 cancer detections in the West were linked to alcohol consumption.

In the US, 5.4 per cent of cancers were attributed to alcohol consumption, said the report. It also highlighted the concerning rise in early-onset colorectal cancer in people aged below 50, which was up nearly two per cent in the 2011-19 period.

All drinkers do not necessarily end up having cancer, as several factors are at play. It has not been established which type of drink leads to cancer, but the ethanol in these spirits is the main risk factor. 

The AACR report said nearly 50 per cent of Americans do not know about the critical link between alcoholic beverages and cancer while highlighting the need for creating public awareness about this issue.