Women unaware of link between alcohol and breast cancer

Results of a survey suggest that the vast majority of women are unaware that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

The YouGov survery of nearly 2,000 British men and women revealed that 95% of women were aware that excessive alcohol intake was a cause of liver disease and 71% knew that heavy drinking increased the risk of liver cancer. However just 12% were aware of the link between alcohol and breast cancer.

The link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer is well established. Women who drink just one large glass of wine each day (21 units) are approximately 20% more likely to develop breast cancer than women who drink 15 units or less each week, and the risk of breast cancer increases inline with alcohol consumption. Women who drink two large glasses of wine each day increase their risk of developing breast cancer by approximately 33%, whilst those drinking three or more large glasses of wine increase their risk of developing the disease by approximately 50%.  

Women ‘unaware of alcohol threat'. BBC News Website. October 17th 2008