Consuming alcohol is linked to certain types of cancer, including head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers. And the more you drink, the higher your risk. Researchers think that the chemical your body produces when it metabolizes alcohol may damage DNA. That damaged DNA, in turn, may lead to cancer. If you want to avoid the risk entirely, you can abstain from drinking alcohol. But you don't have to teetotal either: Sticking to one drink a day or less for women and two or fewer for men may also lessen your risk.