More than a third of health workers believe coffee causes cancer despite no evidence of a link, a survey has found. Health professionals are less likely to be clued up than the public, with 36% thinking coffee can cause the disease compared with 12% of the general population.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) commissioned the survey of 143 NHS workers, including nurses, health visitors and GPs.
However, health professionals did score highly on knowing that poor diet increases risk of cancer (81%), compared with 63% for the general public.
Overall, 79% of workers were aware that being overweight increases the risk of cancer, compared with 60% of the public, and 78% knew of the link with alcohol, compared with 51% of the public. But the percentage who were aware that not exercising increases the risk of cancer dropped to 64% among NHS workers and 47% of the public.
Silvia Pastorino, health professionals publications manager for the WCRF, said the survey was small but revealed some health workers are still not aware what lifestyle factors increase the risk. She said: "There is no strong evidence that coffee increases the risk of cancer.
"In fact, we often suggest drinking unsweetened tea or coffee as an alternative to sugary drinks. "While I am not surprised that many of the general public are not aware of this, it is worrying to think this may also be the case for some health professionals."
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