MIAMI (Aug. 27, 2026) – Online warnings about alcohol and cancer prompted stronger responses when they named specific cancers and included AI-generated images showing health consequences, according to a new study led by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center , part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
While most Americans understand that smoking causes cancer, far fewer know alcohol is linked to several cancers. A study from Sylvester found that cancer-specific messages paired with AI-generated visuals may help people better understand alcohol-related cancer risks.
Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen and is associated with breast, colorectal, liver, mouth, throat, laryngeal and esophageal cancers. Yet awareness remains low, especially for breast, colorectal and throat cancers. Only about one in five study participants identified alcohol as a breast cancer risk factor.
“Many people remain unaware that alcohol is linked to several cancers,” said Sylvester researcher Taghrid Asfar, M.D., MSPH , lead author of the study and professor of public health sciences at the Miller School. “Our findings suggest that clear, evidence-based communication, particularly when it includes specific information about cancer risk, may be a useful way to improve public understanding of this important health issue.”
Researchers from both Sylvester and Miller School surveyed 639 U.S. adults age 21 and older who reported drinking alcohol. Participants saw messages about alcohol and cancer, then responded to questions about attention, engagement, perceived harm and intentions after viewing the materials. The study, which is published in Cancer , a journal of the American Cancer Society, did not measure actual changes in drinking behavior.
Some messages were general and others named specific cancers, including breast, colon, liver and throat cancer. Researchers tested text-only messages, messages with neutral AI-generated images and messages with more graphic AI-generated visuals.
Messages that named particular cancers generally performed better than broad warnings about cancer risk.
Participants were more likely to describe cancer-specific messages as informative, believable and attention-grabbing, especially when the messages included visuals.
Images consistently outperformed text-only messages across most measures. Graphic visuals generated the strongest reactions and heightened perceptions of alcohol-related harm.
The study shows which messages people found more engaging. It does not show whether those messages changed long-term knowledge or drinking behavior.
Moderate alcohol consumers responded more strongly than heavy consumers.
Heavy drinkers were less likely to engage with the messages or say they intended to change behavior. Researchers say future work should explore how to communicate risk to different audiences without stigma or judgment.
Alcohol can be difficult to address in public health messaging because it is widely accepted in social and cultural settings.
“Effective cancer prevention communication must be tailored to where people are psychologically — their readiness to adopt behavioral changes and their understanding of the relative risks involved,” said co-author Frank Penedo, Ph.D. , director of the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute. “This study underscores the importance of testing messages so we can better understand what captures attention, what builds trust and what may help people make informed decisions about their health.”
Researchers used artificial intelligence tools to create visual concepts and message variations for testing.
Researchers and communications professionals reviewed and refined the images to ensure accuracy, clarity and appropriateness for public health education.
More research is needed to determine whether these approaches improve knowledge retention or influence behavior over time.
Clear, specific messages supported by carefully reviewed visuals may help public health professionals communicate alcohol-related cancer risks more effectively.
“Our goal is not simply to tell people that alcohol can increase cancer risk, but to understand how to communicate that information in ways people notice, trust and remember,” Asfar said. “As we continue this work, we hope these findings can help shape public health messages that are clear, evidence-based and useful for people making decisions about their health.”
Read more about Sylvester’s efforts to advance cancer research through big data on the InventUM blog and follow @SylvesterCancer on X for the latest news on its research and care.
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Cancer
Alcohol consumers’ receptivity to artificial intelligence–generated alcohol–cancer risk messages: An experimental study
12-Jun-2026
Funding and disclosure information included in article