Hope makes headlines: new study deals with cancer coverage in print media Canadian now vs. 20 years ago

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If it bleeds, it leads, or so goes the old journalistic adage. Say researchers from McGill University and the Lady Davis Institute for medical research of Jewish General Hospital not necessarily. In a first-of-its kind study, which is analyzed like cancer in Canadian newspapers today versus portrayed 20 years ago, positivity and hope to gain from seem.

"Our focus is on the media potential effects on the patients was perspectives," said Dr. Melissa Henry, lead author of the study of McGill's Department of Oncology and the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital, where cancer patients by the Louise Granofsky-psychosocial oncology program specialized psychosocial oncology services provides. "Present knowledge as newspapers cancer is essential." "It empowered individuals to cancer, affect relationship motivated information search and promotes preventive behavior."

The research team, consisting of Dr. Henry, Dr. S. Robin Cohen, Mr Brendan Trickey and wife Lina Nuoxin Huang, saw cancer representations in six major newspapers from around the country, review and analysis of thousands of articles published within a period of three months in the year 2008 and 1988 / 89.

Researchers found that cancer has increased coverage in newspapers compared to 20 years ago. While this with increasing cancer rates, public awareness and an aging population, can be associated the sound and content with the uptick in the coverage was significant shift. "It is interesting to see a more positive spin on the article now and I think this is a very hopeful message that is sent out there," said Henry. Positive reporting an increasing number of cancer survivors, awareness groups, attributed to be fundraising and new treatments.

Henry added that the positive coverage, while important, a constraint is: you must carefully overly optimistic presentation of cancer. The team found, which were the number of stories from 2008 in connection with death and die half the number seen 1988 / 89, which always can be not the full picture in their understanding of issues relating to the disease that that sign of the public.

What's more, fall out very few article either period topics, to which the cancer - palliative care, bereavement or whole person care psychological, social, and existential/spiritual aspects - a critical gap in cancer reporting stresses touch. "Journalists may be greater focus on the healing as on the experience of cancer." Perhaps they need to be made aware seen across the country, to a holistic approach in Oncology programs "added Henry."

About the study:

The paper was recently published in the journal of supportive care in cancer. If the study was conducted, Dr. Henry was a research fellow of the Canadian Cancer Society and received research support from the Canadian/strategic training program in palliative care. It is now in the Department of Oncology at McGill University and the Jewish General Hospital. The research team also included Dr. S. Robin Cohen, McGill depts of Oncology and medicine, and Lady Davis Institute - Jewish General Hospital, Brendan Trickey and Lina Nuoxin Huang, medical students at McGill University. Mr Trickey was by McGill University Faculty of Medicine Summer 2008 scholarship program with a scholarship from the Mach Gänßlen Foundation supports and wife Huang was supported by a Canadian Cancer Society grant.

Source:
Allison Flynn
McGill University