Its report, Alcohol As A Cause Of Cancer, says the risk of cancer in the upper-aero digestive tract is increased by 40 per cent (voicebox) and by 75 per cent (mouth and pharynx) from two alcoholic drinks a day.

The risk of breast cancer is 11 to 22 per cent higher in women that drink than in non-drinkers.

Four drinks a day increased a man's risk of bowel cancer by 64 per cent.

The institute said there was convincing evidence that heavy consumption increased the risk of liver cancer, starting at about 17 per cent from two drinks a day. There was a modest increase of 7 per cent in the risk of stomach cancer from two drinks a day.

High alcohol consumption, of about eight drinks a day, increased the risk at any site by 90 per cent.

"This report … presents the results from a systematic review of the world's literature on alcohol and cancer and clearly shows that the consumption of alcohol, even at moderate levels, is associated with an increased risk of several cancers," the chief executive officer of the institute, Professor Jim Bishop, said.

Bowel and breast cancer are the second- and third-most common cancers in NSW.

"This report suggests that encouraging a reduction of alcohol consumption should be part of our strategy for cancer prevention in NSW," Professor Bishop said.

The NSW Minister assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer), Verity Firth, said the link between alcohol consumption and cancer had been overlooked in the recent debate about binge drinking.

Ms Firth said a separate institute study in February this year showed only 44 per cent of NSW residents were aware of any link between alcohol and cancer.

"Worryingly, a third of NSW adults actively reject the notion that drinking too much can cause cancer," Ms Firth said.

"This report is about increasing the public's knowledge to help people make better choices about their health."

At least 70 per cent of NSW adults drank alcohol, with about 18 per cent drinking at risky or high-risk levels, she said.

Professor Bishop said many people could reduce their risk.

"Cancer could be prevented in about 35 per cent of cases by modifying behaviour," he said.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that excessive alcohol consumption may be responsible for 30 to 50 per cent of all cancers of the upper-respiratory tract and more than one-third of all liver cancers.

Last week, the State Government announced an anti-alcohol program for students in year 3 to year 6.

The National Health and Medical Research Council is reviewing its guidelines on alcohol consumption, with a draft recommendation that men and women not consume more than two drinks a day.