Public awareness of alcohol-attributable cancer in Poland

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigates the prevalence of alcohol cancer awareness and examines the impact of drinking and sociodemographic variables on alcohol-attributable cancer awareness among the adult population in Poland. Material and methods: The representative sample consists of 2000 adults (aged 18-64) who were asked to identify whether four types of cancer (breast, larynx, oesophagus, colon known as alcohol-attributable) can be, in their opinion, caused by alcohol drinking. Multiple logistic regression models were developed to identify the impact of respondents' sociodemographic variables and alcohol use on the awareness of alcohol-attributable cancer. Results: Overall, 67% of respondents indicated at least one from four alcohol-attributable cancer types in prompted responses. The highest percentage of respondents indicated the colon cancer (57%). However, only minority found breast cancer to be alcohol attributable (15%). Drinker category, gender, age and incomes were a significant predictors of alcohol origin cancer awareness, however their impact differed between cancer types. Discussion: This study confirmed there are considerable differences in cancer awareness regarding different types of alcohol-attributable cancer. The findings suggest that more than half of the Polish adult population is aware that alcohol may affect the aerodigestive tract, while the awareness of alcohol impact on breast cancer is much lower. Conclusions: There is a vital need to implement public awareness campaigns on cancer and alcohol with particular attention to breast cancer.