(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – New University of Illinois research explores the connection between alcohol and cancer.

Zeynep Madak-Erdogan, associate director for education at the Cancer Center at Illinois, says alcohol consumption can cause genetic mutations which can lead to cancer. “If these mutations affect genes that control cell proliferation and / or inhibit cell death or DNA repair signaling programs, they can give cells a distinct advantage to become cancerous.”

Madak-Erdogan says even light drinking can increase the risk.

Former U.S. surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy recently issued an advisory making the connection.