The American Society of Clinical Oncology, the professional society comprised of cancer doctors, has issued a statement to the effect that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cancer. The society says that no amount of alcohol is completely safe; even small amounts can contribute to esophageal cancer, as well as breast cancer in women.
A suspicion that alcohol can contribute to a variety of cancers is not new, but this is the first time that clinical oncologists have issued an official statement on the subject. In preparing for their statement, the group reviewed published studies on alcohol consumption and cancer and came to the conclusion that 5-6% of all new cancers and cancer deaths are due to alcohol consumption. That's not nearly the risk associated with smoking, for example, but it is significant. Higher levels of alcohol consumption are associated with higher cancer risk.
No one is saying categorically, "Don't drink". It's just something that one should be aware of if or when one chooses to drink.
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