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A content analysis of cancer survivorship coverage in a representative sample of US news outlets

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Abstract

Background. Media are popular sources of cancer information, yet little is known about how survivors are depicted. Methods. This study analyzes coverage of cancer survivors in a nationally representative sample of newspapers and television newscasts. Stories were coded for cancer type, gender, age, survivorship length and status, treatment types, and spirituality, among other variables. Results. Media provide limited information about survivors. Also, although breast cancer coverage was close to survivorship rates, nearly every other cancer type was underreported for both incidence and survivorship rates. Conclusions. Inaccurate media coverage may be contributing to public misunderstanding about cancer survivorship.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Journalism and Technical Communication, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

    Sandra Larson MS, Marilee Long PhD & Andrew Read MS

  2. School of Communication, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

    Michael D. Slater PhD

  3. Klein Buendel, Inc., Golden, CO

    Erwin P. Bettinghaus PhD

Authors
  1. Sandra Larson MS
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  2. Marilee Long PhD
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  3. Michael D. Slater PhD
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  4. Erwin P. Bettinghaus PhD
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  5. Andrew Read MS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sandra Larson MS.

Additional information

Supported by grants CA109694 (to EPB) and AA10377 (to MDS).

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Larson, S., Long, M., Slater, M.D. et al. A content analysis of cancer survivorship coverage in a representative sample of US news outlets. J Canc Educ 24, 291–296 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190902973168

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190902973168

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