Alcohol and Cancer in Wisconsin
Drinking alcohol can increase a person’s risk for at least seven types of cancer: breast, colorectal, esophagus, liver, mouth, throat, and voice box.
Alcohol consumption contributes to 3.5 percent of all cancer deaths nationwide. Any amount of alcohol can increase cancer risk, although heavy drinkers are at the greatest risk.
Wisconsin has the highest rate of heavy drinking and binge drinking in the nation. We can reduce Wisconsin's cancer burden by helping residents, communities, and policy makers make healthier choices regarding alcohol.
Resources
Alcohol & Cancer FAQ
This easy-to-read FAQ answers ten common questions about the connection between alcohol and cancer, such as “How much do I need to drink to raise my cancer risk?” and “Does the type of alcohol I drink matter?” This is a helpful resource to start important conversations with patients, clients, and community members.
Alcohol & Cancer Infographic
This simple yet powerful infographic helps introduce audiences to the basic facts about alcohol and cancer in Wisconsin. Perfect for sharing online, or print it and post in your office, school, or clinic.
Available in English and in Spanish.
Small Talks: Talking to Kids about Alcohol and Cancer
You probably already know underage drinking puts our kids at risk. But did you know that drinking alcohol also increases a person’s risk of cancer? Learn how to talk to kids about alcohol and cancer risk, and help prevent underage drinking.
Resource created in collaboration with the WI DHS Small Talks Campaign.
COVID-19 and Alcohol: Wisconsin's Changing Landscape
Presentation slides from Julia Sherman, Project Coordinator of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project. Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected alcohol consumption and related laws and policies in Wisconsin. Originally presented as part of a Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative webinar, "COVID-19 and Cancer Risk Reduction", July 9, 2020.
Alcohol & Cancer Slide Bank
Use this bank of Powerpoint slides to raise awareness about the alcohol-cancer connection when presenting to key stakeholders in your community. The slides and accompanying talking points can be downloaded and customized to fit your needs.
ASCO Policy Statement on Alcohol and Cancer
The groundbreaking statement from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) shone a national spotlight on the connection between alcohol and cancer. Lead author Noelle LoConte, MD, is a clinical oncologist at the UW Carbone Cancer Center and Principal Investigator for the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative. (External resource)
Partners
Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project
Learn more about the impact of excessive alcohol consumption and the evidence-based policies that can help. The Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project provides training, tools, and technical assistance to help you to improve the alcohol environment in your community and reduce alcohol-related problems.
Small Talks Campaign, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Underage drinking is a real problem in Wisconsin, and it starts earlier and can be more dangerous than you might think. We're helping parents, loved ones, and other caring adults learn how small, casual conversations with kids, starting around age 8, can help prevent underage drinking.
Get Involved
We can help you raise awareness about the alcohol-cancer connection and decrease alcohol-related cancers in your community. Contact our Outreach Team to learn how.