Beyond the original statement. “Every category of drinking was associated with an increased risk of cancer.”

“In the present study, alcohol drinking was associated withcancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, oesophagus (SCC) andfemale breast even at low doses. These results represent an updateand corroboration of previously published findings on the linkbetween light alcohol drinking and cancer (Bagnardi et al, 2013).Given the high proportion of light drinkers in the population andthe high incidence of these tumours, especially breast cancer(Ferlay et al, 2010), even small increases in cancer risk might be of great public health relevance. Approximately 5000 deaths from oraland pharyngeal cancer, 24 000 from oesophageal SCC and 5000 from breast cancer were attributable to light drinking in 2004worldwide (Bagnardi et al, 2013).”

Yes, some cancers where negatively associated with drinking, but the net effect was negative over the range of cancers studied.

As to light drinking and heart disease, that link is under some question as to the relative gain from drinking vs associated lifestyle factors. Short term controlled studies suggest some benifit, but it’s less clear for younger drinkers and people with good cardiovascular heath.

At a guess, the benifit of moderate drinking might win somewhere between 40 and 70 depending on specific risk factors.