Breast Cancer Symptoms: Women Warned of High Cancer Drink Risk

Breast Cancer: Women Warned of High Cancer Drink Risk

Women who drink more than Government guideline levels are 50% more likely to develop breast cancer, the Department of Health said.

A £10 million advertising campaign is being launched to target middle aged women who drink large glasses of wine and underestimate how much alcohol they have actually consumed.

It features images such as two wine glasses with no stems to resemble women’s breasts.

The initiative has been sparked by a currently unpublished Department of Health report which found women who drank more than 14 units per week were 50% more likely to get breast cancer.

According to Cancer Research, alcohol is the cause of around 2,000 cases of breast cancer each 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.”

Stronger wine, varying from 9% to 13%, and larger glasses, varying from 125 ml to 250ml, have led to confusion over how many units drinkers consume.

A large glass of wine can contain as much as 3.5 units of alcohol.

Anti binge-drinking campaigns have previously focused on younger people, but now older women are being targeted.

One week: Drinking gives you cancer
Next week: Drinking saves you from cancer
Next week: Drinking gives you cancer
Next week: Drinking saves you from cancer

Just eat, drink and be merry; but cut down on the fags. Take up Cohibas, if you can afford them.