While many Canberrans enjoy a drink, few understand the impact alcohol intake can have on the risk of developing some types of cancer, a new study has found.
A survey from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education found there was a low awareness in the ACT of the link between alcohol and cancer.
Only a quarter of 502 respondents knew about a link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer.
More than half weren't aware of the link between colon cancer and a regular drink and about 70 per cent of respondents didn't know there was a link between alcohol and cancers of the head and neck.
More than 80 per cent of people surveyed said they drink alcohol.
Off the back of the survey, FARE has launched a new campaign to educate the ACT community about the health impacts of alcohol.
FARE chief executive Caterina Giorgi said alcohol was a "significant contributor" to cancer diagnoses but there was little information available to promote that fact.
"There are a lot of mixed messages about the health impacts of alcohol, and this means that many of us are unaware that alcohol is a cause of a range of cancers," she said.
"The less you drink, the lower the risk of developing cancer in the mouth, throat, breast, liver and bowel."
The 'Reduce your risk' campaign comes after new alcohol guidelines were introduced last year.
The latest guidelines advice people drink no more than 10 standard drinks in a week and no more than four standard drinks in a day.
