The State Government today launched a campaign to promote awareness of alcohol as a cancer agent. This follows recent research indicating that one in three West Australians were unaware of the link between alcohol and cancer.
“Through this campaign we are telling West Australians loud and clear there is a proven link between drinking alcohol and developing cancer.” Mental Health Minister Graham Jacobs said. ““The facts are clear – the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of developing cancer.”
Eminent WA surgeon and president of the Cancer Council WA, Professor Christobel Saunders, said the long-term use of alcohol caused a range of diseases including stroke, cardiovascular disease and diseases of the gut and liver.
“Wherever we see higher rates of alcohol consumption in the community, we also see higher rates of alcohol-caused disease, including cancer.” Professor Saunders said.
“For women, alcohol-caused cancers can develop in the throat, pancreas, liver, bowel and breast, with a strong link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer.”