The Association Between Alcohol and Breast Cancer: Popular Press Coverage of Research

Overview

Journal Am J Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 1995 Aug 1

PMID 7625500

Citations 8

Authors

F Houn

M A Bober

E E Huerta

S D Hursting

S Lemon

D L Weed

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was undertaken to examine popular press reports of the association between alcohol and breast cancer.

Methods: Articles from scientific journals and stories from newspapers and magazines published from January 1, 1985, to July 1, 1992, were retrieved from six on-line databases. Lay press stories were analyzed to determine which medical articles were publicized and what information was reported.

Results: Fifty-eight scientific articles on the relationship of alcohol and breast cancer were found, and 64 newspaper and 23 magazine stories were retrieved. The press cited 11 studies, 19% of those published during the study period. Three studies were featured in 77% of popular press stories. No scientific review articles were reported. Behavioral recommendations were given to the public in 63% of stories.

Conclusions: The vast majority of scientific studies on alcohol and breast cancer were ignored in press reports. We encourage researchers and the popular press to give the public a broader understanding of public health issues.

Citing Articles

Effects of Prior Exposure to Conflicting Health Information on Responses to Subsequent Unrelated Health Messages: Results from a Population-Based Longitudinal Experiment.

Nagler R, Vogel R, Gollust S, Yzer M, Rothman A Ann Behav Med. 2021; 56(5):498-511.

PMID: 34398961 PMC: 9116588. DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaab069.

How Are the Links between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer Portrayed in Australian Newspapers?: A Paired Thematic and Framing Media Analysis.

Rudge A, Foley K, Lunnay B, Miller E, Batchelor S, Ward P Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(14).

PMID: 34300108 PMC: 8304242. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147657.

Confusion and nutritional backlash from news media exposure to contradictory information about carbohydrates and dietary fats.

Clark D, Nagler R, Niederdeppe J Public Health Nutr. 2019; 22(18):3336-3348.

PMID: 31587681 PMC: 10260685. DOI: 10.1017/S1368980019002866.

Source-specific Exposure to Contradictory Nutrition Information: Documenting Prevalence and Effects on Adverse Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes.

Lee C, Nagler R, Wang N Health Commun. 2017; 33(4):453-461.

PMID: 28151010 PMC: 6102724. DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2016.1278495.

Adverse outcomes associated with media exposure to contradictory nutrition messages.

Nagler R J Health Commun. 2013; 19(1):24-40.

PMID: 24117281 PMC: 4353569. DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2013.798384.

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