Not only can excessive consumption of alcohol imperil your live, blood pressure, relationships and driver's license. It's also the second most common cause of cancer. According to the British Medical Journal, 3% of cancer deaths in the U.K. result from excessive drinking. And the popular combination of heavy drinking and smoking multiplies the risks. In the U.K. more than a fourth of men and one of ten women drink more than recommended limit -6 liters per week for men, 4 liters for women. A word from family doctors could persuade three of ten to go easy on the bottle. Unfortunately, doctors are often reluctant to intervene. A study in 1985 found that only 40% of doctors felt motivated to talk with patients about potential excessive drinking. A survey of 5000 patients found only 2% had been counseled by their doctors about alcohol consumption within the previous year.