Alcohol consumption early in a woman's life may put her at a higher risk of developing breast disease which could lead to cancer, a new study found.

In a group of nearly 6,900 women aged 16 to 23, researchers found that those who drank six or seven days a week had more than five times the odds of developing so-called benign breast disease years later.

Women with benign breast disease have hard lumps in their breasts, which in some instances may turn cancerous. The broad group of conditions includes irregular cysts, breast discomfort, sensitive nipples and itching, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The new study is the first to survey alcohol drinking directly during adolescence and follow the girls into adulthood.

It is not clear why alcohol would have an effect on the condition, but researchers speculate that alcohol's effect on oestrogen could promote breast tissue growth.

"Our study results give older girls and adolescents another reason to avoid alcohol," said lead researcher Catherine Berkey of Harvard Medical School.

When the women were interviewed later at age 18 to 27, about 1 per cent or 67 of them said they had been diagnosed with benign breast disease. Those who drank more were more likely to suffer from the condition, with each average daily drink adding to the risk.