WA poll shows cancer awareness blindspots

West Australians need to know more about the link between the cancer and the consumption of alcohol, salt and red and processed meats.

A third of respondents to a West Australian Department of Health survey were unaware of how preventable some of the most common cancers can be.

Oesophageal and stomach cancers were the least understood of the seven cancers that had the biggest impact on the WA community, the department said.

There was a strong understanding of the need for tobacco control, sun protection, cancer screening, and avoiding obesity and physical inactivity, but better education was required around the consumption of alcohol, salt as well as red and processed meats.