BackgroundNewspapers are an important information source and coverage of major health issues can create strong public interest. The aim of this study was to examine newspaper coverage of the most common cancers and their relation to incidence and cancer awareness campaigns. MethodsMajor cancers were identified according to Cancer Research UK's figures on diagnosed cancers in 2008. The most common cancers were breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate. The Nexis newspaper database was used to search UK national newspapers. The search was done in March, 2012, and was limited to articles published in 2011. Articles were identified with the search terms “breast cancer”, “lung cancer”, “colorectal cancer” or “bowel cancer”, and “prostate cancer”. In the UK, these cancers are associated with cancer awareness campaigns. Cancer awareness months take place in March for prostate, April for bowel, October for breast, and November for lung cancer. A breakdown by the type of newspaper—broadsheet, tabloid, or middle-market—in which these articles were published was also produced. FindingsIn 2011, 5938 articles mentioned these cancers. 2725 (46%) articles published contained “breast cancer” followed by “prostate cancer” with 1265 (21%), “lung cancer” with 1106 (19%), and 842 (14%) articles containing either “bowel cancer” or “colorectal cancer”. This pattern was found in both broadsheet and tabloid newspapers. In middle-market newspapers, coverage of lung and bowel cancers was similar. The highest number of articles containing “breast cancer” was published in October, coinciding with breast cancer awareness month. “Prostate cancer” was most published in February, 1 month before the campaign month. “Lung cancer” was common in July and “bowel cancer” or “colorectal cancer” in November, both months that are distant from their respective awareness months. InterpretationThe reference to common cancers in UK newspaper articles is disproportionate to their incidence. Breast cancer is the most common cancer and has the highest number of articles stating it. Prostate cancer is the second most mentioned cancer; however, it ranks fourth in terms of diagnosis. Newspaper coverage does not always reflect the incidence of common cancers or the activity of cancer awareness campaigns. Newspapers, and the mass media in general, play an important part in influencing the opinions of the general public, and their engagement in cancer awareness could contribute to improved knowledge of symptoms that could lead to earlier diagnosis. FundingNone.