Abstract
Little is known about the news coverage of cancer risk factors in Korea. This study aimed to examine how the news media encompasses a wide array of content regarding cancer risk factors and related cancer sites, and investigate whether news coverage of cancer risk factors is congruent with the actual prevalence of the disease. A content analysis was conducted on 1,138 news stories covered during a 5-year period between 2008 and 2012. The news stories were selected from nationally representative media in Korea. Information was collected about cancer risk factors and cancer sites. Of various cancer risk factors, occupational and environmental exposures appeared most frequently in the news. Breast cancer was mentioned the most in relation to cancer sites. Breast, cervical, prostate, and skin cancer were overrepresented in the media in comparison to incidence and mortality cases, whereas lung, thyroid, liver, and stomach cancer were underrepresented. To our knowledge, this research is the first investigation dealing with news coverage about cancer risk factors in Korea. The study findings show occupational and environmental exposures are emphasized more than personal lifestyle factors; further, more prevalent cancers in developed countries have greater media coverage, not reflecting the realities of the disease. The findings may help health journalists and other health storytellers to develop effective ways to communicate cancer risk factors.
Highlights
The most majority of cancers are preventable
This study aimed to examine how the news media encompasses a wide array of content regarding cancer risk factors and related cancer sites, and investigate whether news coverage of cancer risk factors is congruent with the actual prevalence of the disease
Cervical, prostate, and skin cancer were overrepresented in the news media, whereas lung, thyroid, liver, and stomach cancer were underrepresented in comparison to incidence and mortality cases. This content analysis was designed to provide wideranging characteristics of news coverage, paying special attention to cancer risk factors in Korea’s representative media. This is the first investigation dealing with cancer risk factor news coverage in Korea
Summary
The primary goal of cancer prevention is to avoid the development of cancer by reducing or eliminating exposure to cancer-causing factors. These factors include both environmental carcinogens and lifestyle factors, such as tobacco, alcohol, nutrition, and physical activity, which account for approximately 50% of all cancer deaths (WHO and IARC, 2003; Peto, 2011). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this research is the first investigation dealing with news coverage about cancer risk factors in Korea. The study findings show occupational and environmental exposures are emphasized more than personal lifestyle factors; further, more prevalent cancers in developed countries have greater media coverage, not reflecting the realities of the disease. The findings may help health journalists and other health storytellers to develop effective ways to communicate cancer risk factors
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