How much do Europeans know about the link between alcohol use and cancer? Results from an online survey in 14 countries

Maria Neufeld*, Daša Kokole, Daniela Correia, Carina Ferreira-Borges, Aleksandra Olsen, Alexander Tran, Jürgen Rehm

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In the EU, which has the highest drinking levels worldwide, cancer is the primary cause of alcohol-attributable deaths. Existing studies show gaps in public knowledge, but there is lack of systematic appraisal. The report presents original data from a cross-sectional survey conducted within the framework of an online experimental study in 14 European countries, which among other things assessed baseline knowledge of the alcohol-NCD link, particularly cancer. METHODS: Online questionnaire among adults who consume alcohol conducted in 14 countries in 2022-2023 using different recruitment strategies and applying population weights for the final sample. Baseline assessments measured participants' knowledge of alcohol-attributable health issues (with a specific focus on cancer). RESULTS: Baseline knowledge assessment showed that 90% indicated a causal role of alcohol for liver disease, 68% for heart diseases, and only 53% for cancer. Knowledge of specific alcohol-attributable cancer types was lower, with 39% aware of the link between alcohol use and colon cancer, 28% regarding oral cancer, and only 15% regarding female breast cancer. Knowledge levels varied across different countries and population groups. CONCLUSION: Most Europeans do not know which cancers can be caused by alcohol use and knowledge is low specifically for female breast cancer. More awareness raising and prevention efforts are needed, such as the placement of cancer-specific health warnings on alcohol container labels.
Original languageEnglish
Article number56
Number of pages6
JournalBMC Research Notes
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Feb 2024

Keywords

  • Alcohol
  • Knowledge
  • Noncommunicable diseases
  • Prevention
  • Public health
  • Risk factors
  • cancer
  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Europe/epidemiology

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