The alcohol industry is spreading misinformation about the established link between alcohol and cancer, in tactics similar to those used by tobacco manufacturers, a study has found.

Alcohol is estimated to cause more than 1500 cancer deaths in Australia every year, with breast and bowel cancers of particular concern.

It is estimated 3 per cent of cancers a year can be blamed on alcohol. Credit:Stocksy

But an international study published in the Drug and Alcohol Review said alcohol industry groups around the world are trying to protect their profits by setting up "responsible drinking" organisations that in fact underplay or omit health risks.

"The global alcohol industry is actively disseminating misinformation about cancer risk, particularly breast cancer," said the study, which examined the websites and documents of 27 alcohol industry organisations last year.