A new survey has revealed that too many Brits are unaware of the health risks of surpassing the recommended daily alcohol limits.
The NHS currently recommends that men drink no more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day, and women no more than 2 to 3.
And new research has shown that regularly drinking two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day triples the risk of developing mouth cancer.
But in a survey of over 2,000 people, 59 per cent did not know that drinking over the recommended limit increases their chance of developing mouth, throat and neck cancer.
85 per cent did not know that drinking over the recommended limits increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
In addition, 65 per cent were unaware that it increases the risk of developing bowel cancer, and some 63 per cent did not know it raised the risk of increasing pancreatitis. .
In addition, a further 30 per cent were unaware that drinking over the recommended daily limit increases the risk of high blood pressure, and 37 per cent did not know that it can impact on fertility.
Sarah Lyness, of Cancer Research UK, said: "Alcohol can increase the risk of seven types of cancer, including two of the commonest kinds – breast and bowel cancers. A recent study showed that nearly 12,500 cancers in the UK each year are caused by alcohol."
"It can be easy to slip into the habit of having a few extra drinks each day, especially when drinking at home. But there can be serious health risks."
To try and raise awareness of the health risks, a new government campaign will warn drinkers that consuming 2 large glasses of wine or 2 strong pints of beer a day triple the risk of developing mouth cancer.
Adverts will run under the Change4Life banner, and people will be able to access a new online calculator which will tell them how much they are drinking.
Drinkers will be encouraged to cut down by having alcohol free days, not drinking before going out, swapping to low-alcohol drinks and using smaller glasses.
Recent figures showed that the number of hospital admissions caused by drinking have more than doubled since the year 2002, raising fears about an alcohol epidemic in the UK.
© ActiveQuote Health Ltd. 2012