Reduce Alcohol - Reduce Cancer

Women who drink above the government's recommended limit are 50% more likely to develop breast cancer, the UK Department of Health has said.

The health department report, claims that more than 14 units of alcohol a week will increased risk, with alcohol caused cancer causing 2,000 breast cancer cases a year.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: "Women who regularly drink too much are 50% more likely to develop breast cancer. And many drink too much simply because they have no idea how many alcohol units they are consuming.

"After the campaign no-one will be in any doubt as to how many units they're drinking and the impact that can have on their health."

Stronger wine of up to 13% alcohol and larger 250ml glasses can make women think they are drinking less than they are.

Ms Primarolo said:

"It's fair to say that most women don't know how much they're drinking," she said.

"They don't know how many units they drinking. And don't know that, at 3.5 units, that large glass of Rioja they drank last night actually took them over their daily amount."

The group of women who are most compliant are the middle aged professional group of women.

Alcohol-related deaths have doubled in 10 years. Doctors are increasingly concerned at the growing number of women with liver damage, pancreatitis and cirrhosis.

Government figures show that 20 per cent of women in the UK (4.9million) drink 14 and 35 units a week, pushing them in the hazardous drinker category.