Rethinking the message on alcohol and breast cancer with UK women
A Delphi study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22945210 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lindsey Coombes (0009-0006-6462-3006, Oxford Brookes University), Cathy Liddiard (0000-0002-9384-1866, Oxford Brookes University), Jennifer Seddon (0000-0001-9040-0902, Oxford Brookes University), Fiona Matley (0000-0001-5322-2852, Oxford Brookes University), Fiona A I Matley (Oxford Brookes University), Eila K Watson (Oxford Brookes University), Eila Watson (0000-0002-3592-1315, Oxford Brookes University), Emma L Davies (0000-0003-3577-3276, Oxford Brookes University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Health Promotion International (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1093/heapro/daaf092 |
| PMID | 40528530 |
| OpenAlex | W4411436542 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 75 |
Alcohol consumption is a well-established, yet, under-recognized risk factor for breast cancer (BCa) in women. Low public awareness of this link limits informed decision-making and undermines support for evidence-based alcohol policy. Existing communication strategies often neglect the socioemotional context in which such messages are received. This study offers a novel, participant-informed approach to message development, grounded in rigorous qualitative methods and public involvement. A Delphi study engaged 260 women aged 40–65—drinkers, ex-drinkers, and those with BCa—via an open-ended survey. Responses were explored in greater depth through seven online focus groups (n = 33) and a workshop (n = 7), to review themes and findings. Reflexive thematic analysis identified two overarching themes: (i) barriers to effective communication, including social norms, mistrust of public health messaging, psychological defence mechanisms, and fear of stigma and (ii) messaging strategies for overcoming these barriers, with narrative-based approaches (e.g. personal stories) identified as a promising alternative to hard-hitting or fear-based messaging. These findings extend existing literature by offering a framework for constructing public health messages that resonate with diverse audiences while avoiding unintended harms. By foregrounding the emotional and cultural dynamics of risk perception, this research contributes significant and timely evidence to inform cancer prevention campaigns and alcohol policy advocacy.
Alcohol · Breast cancer · Cancer · Delphi method · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Computer Science · Internal Medicine · Media Influence and Health · Medicine · Smoking Behavior and Cessation
Alcohol
Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits
Public Health and Online Misinformation
Stigma, shame, and blame experienced by patients with lung cancer
Narrative communication in cancer prevention and control
A Primer on Unrealistic Optimism
Global Cancer Statistics 2020
The symbolic consumption processes associated with ‘low-calorie’ and ‘low-sugar’ alcohol products and Australian women
Prevalence and predictors of misperceptions of ‘better-for-you’ alcohol products among Australian adult drinkers
How Positively Valenced Health Messages can Foster Information Selection
Shouldn’t We Know This Already? UK Women’s Views About Communicating the Link Between Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Breast Cancer
“It’s difficult when everyone else is drinking, you don’t feel part of the tribe”
Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis
Alcohol marketing versus public health
How Are the Links between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer Portrayed in Australian Newspapers
Improving Knowledge that Alcohol Can Cause Cancer is Associated with Consumer Support for Alcohol Policies
Image-and-text health warning labels on alcohol and food
Developing cancer warning statements for alcoholic beverages
Cluster-randomised trial to evaluate the ‘Change for Life’ mass media/ social marketing campaign in the UK
Public awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer in England in 2015
On the perils of invoking neoliberalism in public health critique
Universal and targeted policy to achieve health equity
Drinking to excess and the tipping point
Public support for alcohol policies associated with knowledge of cancer risk
Some days I am a lunatic that thinks I can moderate’
I don't want to introduce it into new places in my life”
Inhabiting the contradictions
Comparing the Relative Efficacy of Narrative vs Nonnarrative Health Messages in Reducing Health Disparities Using a Randomized Trial
An attributional analysis of reactions to stigmas
It won't happen to me
Extending the sociology of candidacy
Why behavioural health promotion endures despite its failure to reduce health inequities
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |