Alcohol blamed for 7 types of cancer

Alcohol causes seven types of cancer and probably others, a review has concluded.

A study of existing research has found strong evidence of a direct, harmful effect of drinking, but scientists are unsure why.

Writing in the journal, Addiction, Jennie Connor, from the University of Otago, in New Zealand, said alcohol is estimated to have caused about half a million deaths from cancer in 2012, or 5.8% of the total.