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

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.