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A researcher from Flinders University said that middle-aged women in Australia did not understand the proven link between alcohol use and bad cancer.
The study reveals that at a time when more women aged 45 to 64 are drinking, the cancer rate in their age bracket is also increasing.
"The link between alcohol and bad cancer is poorly understood, and there is some confusion about risk, given the community's perception that not all drinkers have bad cancer Says Dr. Emma Miller, lead author of the study, College of Medicine. and public health at Flinders University.
"It is therefore very important to understand the patterns and factors that underlie drinking behavior in order to develop policies and interventions that can reduce the growing burden on women and our health care system. "
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for more than 13% of all new cancers and 28% of all cancers diagnosed in women.
The new study indicates that the cohort of investigators is concerned about negative impacts on their weight, relationships or lifestyle rather than warnings of an increased risk of cancer.
Dr. Miller said the results of his study suggest that targeted messages that address the short-term risk of alcohol will have the greatest impact on reducing current consumption levels.
"Alcohol is firmly rooted in the Australian social fabric, providing pleasure and defining the major events of most of our lives," she said.
"Raising awareness of the risk of cancer related to alcohol, despite its importance, will not be enough to thwart patterns of consumption."
The study involved 35 South Australian women, aged 45 to 64, who had never been diagnosed with cancer. They were asked about their personal alcohol consumption, their level of education, and the perceived risk of bad cancer.
"It's interesting to note that the group was most aware of short-term misdeeds, such as the impact of alcohol on their weight, their mental health and their relationships rather than on cancer."
According to Dr. Miller, the authorities will need to develop carefully targeted policies and interventions that address the short-term risks considered more important by these women, as they become a larger demographic for the sector. alcoholic beverages.
"We all want to hear good news about drinking. For example, small amounts of red wine could be useful in the fight against cardiovascular disease, a message conveyed by the alcoholic beverage industry, "says Dr. Miller.
"On the other hand, the industry is actively suppressing the information that alcohol is linked to bad cancer, probably to strengthen the female clientele.
"Our research shows that while more middle-aged women are drinking, there are ways to get the right messages across by focusing on issues that affect them. For example, young people drink less, so we can look at the reasons behind that and use them. "
This article has been republished from documents provided by Flinders University. Note: Content may have changed for length and content. For more information, please contact the cited source.
Reference: Samantha B Meyer, et al. Breast cancer and alcohol risk: logic of middle-aged women and recommendations for reducing consumption in Australia. PLOS ONE (2019) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211293
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