Women compared with men, experience significantly short intervals between the first use of alcohol, and the onset of significant alcohol-related problems. Women on average, experience problems within five to seven years of use, whereas men usually experience alcohol-related problems after ten to twelve years of heavy use. This accelerated course is known as “telescoping.” Health consequences of excessive drinking include: increased risk of cancers, liver damage, and heart disease, to name a few. PREVENTION: Catherine Paradis, senior researcher, and policy analysist, at CCSA and Co-Chair of Canada’s Low Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines, recommends that using safe amounts of alcohol, can assist in avoiding health related risks as well as hi-risk activities, such as driving while over the limit, taking over-the-counter and prescription medications that interact with alcohol, or drinking and participating in activities which require skill, coordination, and alertness. However, this is keeping in mind that there is no safe amount for women with a history of breast cancer.