Drink awareness

The recent article by Alison Douglas, (“Are you hitting the booze in a way that causes health and family problems?” (The Scotsman, 27 October) repeated some extremely serious allegations about the information that Drinkaware provides on the links between alcohol and cancer derived from a highly selective and partisan academic report, which we entirely reject.

Our information about alcohol and cancer has been approved in its entirety by Drinkaware’s independent medical advisory panel made up of senior medical and clinical professionals.

The overwhelming medical consensus is that there are many risk factors involved with cancer including alcohol and our information and advice reflects this. Our information also leaves people in no doubt as to the links that do exist between alcohol and cancer.

Cancer affects millions of people worldwide and, in our view, a failure to discuss all of its contributory risk factors would be grossly irresponsible. That’s why the charity has consistently stressed the link between alcohol and breast cancer and works to increase public awareness of the issue.

ELAINE HINDAL Drinkaware chief executive,

London Wall, London