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Coverage of Skin Cancer Risk Factors and UV Behaviors in Popular U.S. Magazines from 2000 to 2012

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Abstract

Mass media is an influential source of skin cancer and tanning information for the public, but we know little about its content or emphasis. The objective of this research was to describe the volume and nature of skin cancer and tanning messages in 20 popular U.S. men’s and women’s magazines (2000–2012). We used a directed content analysis to determine frequency information about risk factors and ultraviolet (UV) behaviors in 608 articles and 930 images. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests determined coverage differences based on content type (text vs. image) and target audience (women vs. men). UV exposure was the most common risk factor mentioned (37.7 %) and sunscreen use the most common behavior encouraged (60.0 %); information about other risk factors and protective behaviors was uncommon. Both articles (25.2 %) and images (36.9 %) promoted the tanned look as attractive. In most cases, images infrequently contained helpful information on skin cancer risk factors and prevention, except for high-SPF sunscreens. Women’s magazines published more articles on skin cancer and tanning than men’s magazines (456 vs. 159, χ2 = 143.43, P < .01), and the nature of the messages differed between them. Magazine skin cancer and tanning content may contribute to inaccurate public understanding of risks and prevention. These findings are relevant to cancer educators, who may wish to counter potentially harmful messages and enhance positive ones through cancer education efforts.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (JEM) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (LHG). The authors thank T. Harms and the Inter-library Loan department at the University of Waterloo for help with coordinating data collection.

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None to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

    Jennifer E McWhirter & Laurie Hoffman-Goetz

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  1. Jennifer E McWhirter
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  2. Laurie Hoffman-Goetz
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Correspondence to Laurie Hoffman-Goetz.

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McWhirter, J.E., Hoffman-Goetz, L. Coverage of Skin Cancer Risk Factors and UV Behaviors in Popular U.S. Magazines from 2000 to 2012. J Canc Educ 31, 382–388 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-015-0808-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-015-0808-1

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