Limit alcohol

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the breast, larynx, liver, mouth, oesophagus, pharynx and bowel.

For recent information about the link between alcohol and cancer see the National Cancer Prevention Policy 2007-09 at The Cancer Council Australia website.

Even drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily increases the risk of these cancers. Risk increases with higher amounts of alcohol. There is no evidence to suggest that alcohol may be protective for any form of cancer.

To reduce the risk of cancer, abstain from drinking alcohol. If you choose to drink, limit your intake.

For men, the recommended limit is no more than two standard drinks a day.
For women, it’s one standard drink per day.

A standard drink =

285 ml of beer (one glass of beer)
100 ml of wine (one glass of wine)
30 ml of spirits (one measure of spirits).

Tips

If you do choose to drink:

Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones like mineral water or soda water.
See a glass of wine or beer as something to enhance a meal rather than a means of getting drunk.
Dilute alcoholic drinks, for example, try a shandy (beer and lemonade), white wine and mineral water, spirits and low-calorie soft drinks.
Choose a low-alcohol (or no-alcohol) beer and wine drinks.

We now know that alcohol increases the risk of cancer. Choose alcohol-free alternatives.

Updated August 2007