Awareness of cancer risk factors and protective factors among Australian adults.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Up to one third of incident cancers in Australia are attributable to modifiable factors. Understanding the general public's awareness of cancer risk and protective factors is important for identifying knowledge gaps and informing the development of effective and targeted health promotion strategies.

METHODS: In a telephone survey of 355 Western Australian adults aged 18-54 years (48% male), with a sample skewed towards low-SES areas, respondents rated the effect on cancer risk of 11 established cancer risk factors and 7 established cancer protective factors.

RESULTS: Most respondents correctly recognised the increased cancer risk from sun tanning (94%), asbestos (92%), pesticide use (92%), and being overweight or obese (86%), and the protective effect of being physically active (82%). Half (52%) of respondents incorrectly believed red wine decreased or had no effect on cancer risk. One in five respondents (19%) incorrectly believed sunscreen use increased cancer risk. Only 18% of respondents were aware that HPV vaccination confers a protective effect, while 17% believed it increases risk.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of respondents were aware of certain established cancer risk and protective factors, a sizeable proportion held misconceptions about the cancer risk associated with red wine consumption, sunscreen use, and HPV vaccination. SO WHAT?: Health promotion programs designed to educate the public about modifiable cancer risk factors may need to increase public awareness of the safety of preventive factors such as HPV vaccination and sunscreen, and the increased cancer risk from consumption of all alcoholic beverage types, including red wine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.