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Prevalence and correlates of multiple cancer risk behaviors in an Australian population-based survey: results from the Queensland Cancer Risk Study

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Abstract

Objective

To report on the prevalence, clustering, and correlates of behavioral risk factors for cancer in the Queensland, Australia, population.

Design, setting, and participants

The Queensland Cancer Risk Study was a population-based survey of 9419 Queensland residents aged 20–75 years. Information was collected through anonymous computer-assisted telephone interviews between February and November 2004.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, sun exposure, and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, weighted by age, gender, and geographic region.

Results

The majority of respondents reported between two and four cancer risk behaviors (79.4%). Men, those younger than 59 years and those with lower educational attainment had more than twofold increased odds of reporting multiple cancer risk factors. Marital status and geographic region were moderately associated with cancer risk. Smoking, high levels of alcohol consumption, and sun exposure were associated with up to twofold increased odds of engaging in multiple additional risk factors.

Conclusions

This study identified key subgroups of the Queensland population with increased odds of engaging in multiple risk behaviors for cancer, particularly younger men and people with lower educational attainment. Individual behavioral risk factors can also exert a significant impact on the overall risk profile, and this may be a useful consideration for public health campaigns that target key health behaviors.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded and conducted by the Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, The Cancer Council Queensland. We gratefully acknowledge the valuable input and assistance of Pip Youl and the expert statistical advice of Dr Peter Baade, Danny Youlden, and Elisabeth Winkler. Thank you also to Tracey Di Sipio for her careful management of the Queensland Cancer Risk Study data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, The Cancer Council Queensland, PO Box 201, Spring Hill, QLD, 4004, Australia

    Katrin Hausdorf, Carla Rogers & Joanne Aitken

  2. Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Elizabeth Eakin

  3. Comprehensive Cancer Research Centre, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Australia

    David Whiteman

  4. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Beth Newman

Authors
  1. Katrin Hausdorf
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  2. Elizabeth Eakin
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  3. David Whiteman
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  4. Carla Rogers
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  5. Joanne Aitken
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  6. Beth Newman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joanne Aitken.

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Hausdorf, K., Eakin, E., Whiteman, D. et al. Prevalence and correlates of multiple cancer risk behaviors in an Australian population-based survey: results from the Queensland Cancer Risk Study. Cancer Causes Control 19, 1339–1347 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9205-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-008-9205-y

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