A Western Australian public education campaign partly developed by the Mental Health Commission has been recognised nationwide for its role in helping reduce the risk of developing alcohol-related cancer.
Minister for Mental Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson said the Alcohol.Think Again campaign was developed in partnership with Cancer Council WA and aimed to educate the community that the more alcohol used over a lifetime, the greater the risk of developing cancer.
Ms Sanderson said the campaign aimed to empower people to make informed decisions about their alcohol use.
She said the campaign was adapted for use in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE).
Ms Sanderson said FARE had released evaluation results from the ACT to mark World Cancer Day (4 February).
“FARE’s results show substantial increases in awareness about the link between alcohol use and specific types of cancer,” she said.
“The Alcohol.Think Again campaign has also received international recognition for its ability to achieve behaviour change.”
The Minister said a study conducted by Victorian researchers found the campaign was identified as the alcohol reduction campaign most likely to motivate adults to reduce their alcohol use.
“In 2017, WA Health Department data showed that one Western Australian died every three days from cancer caused by alcohol,” she said.
“The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer,” Ms Sanderson said.
