>An additional limitation to keep in mind is that this data mainly appeared to be from observational studies. These cannot prove cause and effect. The individua

>An additional limitation to keep in mind is that this data mainly appeared to be from observational studies. These cannot prove cause and effect. The individual studies will likely have varied considerably in the additional health and lifestyle factors they took account of when looking at the links with alcohol. For example, smoking, diet and physical activity are all factors likely to be associated both with level of alcohol consumption and cancer risk. In other words correlation does not equal causation. If someone who exercises several days per week, has a healthy diet, and drinks a glass or two of wine each night, would that really have the same potential to cause cancer as someone who drinks 2 beers every day, eats fast food, and smokes cigarettes? I'd like to see long term studies done with individuals who have a "healthy" lifestyle vs "unhealthy" with alcohol involved if at all possible.