Drinking Alcohol Can Raise Cancer Risk. How Much Is Too Much?
A study finds light drinkers have the lowest combined risk of getting cancer and dying prematurely — lower than nondrinkers. Alcohol is estimated to be the third-largest contributor to cancer deaths.
A little bit of alcohol has been shown to be protective of heart health. But how does drinking influence cancer risk?
A new study finds that light drinkers have the lowest combined risk of developing cancer and dying prematurely — even lower than people who don't drink at all. But here's the rub: In this study, "light" drinking is defined as one to five drinks per week.
"It seems to reassure light drinkers," says study co-author, a researcher at Queen's University Belfast.
