A new study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suggests that women who drink alcohol may have an increased risk of contracting breast cancer. The report looks at the size of problems caused by legal and illicit drugs. It shows in 1997-1998, smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs led to more than more than 200,000 episodes of hospitalisation. They also contributed to an estimated 20,000 deaths in Australia. One of the report's author's, Chris Stevenson, says the report also revealed a link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. Mr Stevenson says the reasons behind a link are not yet fully known, but drinking alcohol seems to increase oestrogen levels in women, which can then lead to a greater risk of contracting breast cancer. Friday 23 February, 2001 4:36am AEDT © 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation.