ONE DRINK A DAY CAN INCREASE CANCER RISK

One drink a day increased the risk of cancer of the oesophagus by almost a third.

Low alcohol intake increased the risk of oral cavity and pharynx cancer by 17 %, and breast cancer in women by 5 per cent.

Alcohol increases the risk of cancer even at low doses, say the researchers.

Given the high proportion of light drinkers in the population, and the high prevalence of these tumours, especially of breast cancer, even small increases in cancer risk are of great public health relevance.

Evidence suggests that drinking in moderation may decrease the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and dementia, leading many to believe a glass of wine a day is good for you.

But the damaging effects of drinking are well known. An estimated 2.2 million deaths a year worldwide are linked to alcohol, according to the report, and 3.6 per cent of all cancers are attributable to drinking alcohol.