After receiving the subjects' responses to their questionnaires, Dr Barefoot and his colleagues divided the group into five sets, depending on whether they were drinkers of beer, wine, spirits, none in particular, or no alcohol at all.

ECONOMIST: Alcohol and health

Lead researcher, Dr. Yan Li, says they discovered "it makes no difference if a woman drinks wine, beer or liquor -- it's the alcohol itself and the quantity consumed" that is critical.

CNN: Alcohol and breast cancer: Weigh your risks