Just three drinks a day can be enough to cause liver cancer , according to an extensive review of global research . The increase in risk per 10g of alcohol consumed – around one alcoholic drink – is about 4 per cent , says the World Cancer Research Fund . As a result three or more drinks pose a significant cancer risk , it adds . The review also found a strong association between obesity and liver cancer , as well as evidence that drinking coffee can protect against the disease . The risk of liver cancer is increased by 4 per cent for every 10g of alcohol consumed , meaning three or more drinks a day pose a significant cancer risk , a research review has claimed . The WCRF 's continuous update project reviewed global research into the relationship between diet , weight and physical activity , and liver cancer . In all , 34 studies were analysed covering 8.2million people of whom more than 24,500 had liver cancer . Previous research by the project has shown alcohol to be strongly linked with a range of cancers , including liver . The WCRF recommends women should try to limit their alcohol intake to one drink per day and men to two . Amanda McLean , director of WCRF UK , said : 'Around three or more drinks per day can be enough to cause liver cancer . Until now we were uncertain about the amount of alcohol likely to lead to liver cancer . But the research reviewed in this report is strong enough to be more specific . ' In 2012 , there were 4,703 cases of liver cancer in the UK . The report estimates that nearly a quarter of cases could be prevented if people kept a healthy weight and did not drink . World Cancer Research Fund reviewed 34 studies involving more than 8.2million people in order to reach its findings on alcohol , weight , physical activity and liver cancer . Although the research found strong evidence that drinking coffee can reduce the risk of the disease , the report did not recommend the amount that should be drunk . Professor Sir Ian Gilmore , chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK , said : 'The findings from this study further demonstrate the urgent need for mandatory health warnings on alcohol products . ' Dr Sarah Jarvis , medical adviser for alcohol education charity Drinkaware , said the research revealed a worrying link with obesity , but some people had a 'blind spot ' when it comes to the calories in alcohol . She added : 'To help reduce the risk of getting alcohol-related liver cancer , it is best to drink within the lower-risk guidelines of 2-3 units a day for women , that 's a 175ml glass of 13 per cent wine , or 3-4 units a day for men , a pint and a half of 4 per cent beer . ' Sir David Spiegelhalter , Winton professor of the public understanding of risk , University of Cambridge , said that while the increase in risk of liver cancer per 10g of alcohol consumed was about 4 per cent , that level of alcohol was 'extremely unlikely to cause cancer ' , especially as the report says the increase in risk only starts at levels above 5.5 units a day . He added : 'Liver cancer is rare : about one in 100 men and one in 200 women get it . So if you already drink a lot , and then drink even more , your risk goes up a small amount . ' Paul Pharoah , professor of cancer epidemiology , University of Cambridge , said the evidence appeared to show three drinks a day led to ' a very small ' absolute increase in risk from ten in 1,000 to 12 in 1,000 for men and 5 in 1,000 to 5.6 in 1,000 for women . He added : 'Even though the data specifically related to primary liver cancer do not support the recommendation to limit alcohol intake to one drink a day for women and two for men , there are plenty of other reasons to support the recommendations . '
Just three alcoholic drinks a day could be enough to cause liver cancer . Research review found the risk increased by 4 per cent for every 10g . Experts also found a strong association between obesity and liver cancer . University of Cambridge analysed 34 studies , covering 8.2m people .