Women who participate in the popular weekend pastime of binge drinking are increasing their risk of developing cancer according to a new study.

The results of the study showed that women consumed around two bottles of wine at the weekend more than doubled their risk of developing breast cancer.

The study was conducted by doctors in Denmark. The results of their research have recently been published in the European Journal of Public Health.

During the study the drinking habits of 17,647 nurses were observed. What was discovered is that women who drank something like 22 to 27 alcoholic beverages a week more than doubled their risks of getting for breast cancer than women who only drank 1 to 3 drinks each week. The threat for cancer reached its highest point when alcoholic drinks were consumed over a short time period.

Dr. Lina Morch, from the Denmark's Centre for Alcohol, headed up the study. Those who participated in the study were observed during an eight-year period that ended in 2001. All of the women who took part in the research were at least aged 45. When the study began each of the women was asked to fill out a questionnaire about their alcohol use and behaviors. When the study ended it was found that out of those who participated 457 developed breast cancer.

The cancer diagnoses were compared with the questionnaires provided by the women in order to discover the relationship alcohol consumption and cancer.

The consumption and behaviour information showed that 10 percent of the participating women could be classed as weekly binge drinkers. This means that these women drank on average four drinks each day. The figure for weekend binger drinkers, those who consumed a minimum of 10 drinks over the weekend, was 13 percent of the women.

One drink is considered to be a glass or wine or spirits or one bottle of beer.