We're told again and again that smoking causes cancer, but very few of us know that how much alcohol we drink can also increase the risk of getting the disease.
Lambton County Health Promoter Terry Easterby says Cancer Care Ontario estimates about 3,000 new cases of cancer reported annually are alcohol-related.
"It's suggested that you reduce your alcohol consumption, especially if you have a strong family history of the disease," says Easterby. "One drink a day for women, two drinks a day for men. We're not telling people not to drink. The bigger point is to be aware of how much you are drinking and the dangers associated with it."
Women are more vulnerable than men because they do not metabolize alcohol as quickly as males. It then increases the production of estrogen leading to a higher chance of cell mutation and breast cancer. There is also an increased risk of colorectal, liver, head and neck cancers.
