FOUR out of 10 women who drink are drinking enough to increase their risk of cancer, the Cancer Council South Australia has found.

 High alcohol consumption increases the risk of mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver and breast cancers.

Cancer Council SA estimates about 38 per cent of women who drink alcohol consume more than two drinks at a time, which puts them at higher risk of cancer.

It also estimates that 50 SA cases of breast cancer a year can be attributed to alcohol.

Cancer Council SA chief executive Professor Brenda Wilson said to reduce the chances of getting cancer, women needed to lead a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and limiting alcohol consumption.

"Women also need to become `breast aware', get to know the look and feel of their breasts and visit their GP with any concerns," she said.

Dr Michele Brooke, a breast clinician at Burnside Hospital, knows all about the risks of breast cancer.

She has chosen to have a preventive double mastectomy because of an inherited genetic abnormality that predisposes her to it.

Dr Brooke's mother and sister were both diagnosed with breast cancer, which convinced her to make the drastic decision.