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Published on: May 17, 2019
Cancer in public figures, 2010-2020
D J Benjamin1, M P Lythgoe2, J T Moyers3
1Hoag Family Cancer Institute, Newport Beach, USA.
News stories about public figures with cancer often lack crucial details on diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. This lack of information may mislead the public, hindering clear understanding of cancer complexities.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Media Studies
- Public Health Communication
Background:
- Public perception of cancer is significantly shaped by media coverage of public figures.
- News reports frequently omit specific cancer details, potentially causing confusion rather than clarity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how news media portrays cancer in public figures.
- To identify the level of detail provided regarding cancer type, treatment, and prognosis in these news stories.
Main Methods:
- A Google News search identified 4135 articles with cancer headlines published between 2010 and 2020.
- 254 articles specifically focusing on public figures with cancer were further analyzed for content.
Main Results:
- A significant number of articles (254) discussed public figures with cancer.
- Many articles lacked specifics on cancer type, stage, or treatment received.
- When prognosis was mentioned, it often described the individual as deceased or having a poor outlook.
Conclusions:
- News coverage of public figures with cancer frequently lacks essential details on diagnosis and treatment.
- Most articles offered no educational information about the cancer discussed.
- The public should be aware of the common scarcity of specific cancer information in media reports about high-profile individuals.
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