The impact of personal and/or close relationship experience on memorable messages about breast cancer and the perceived speech acts of the sender.
BACKGROUND
Memorable messages and their speech acts (purposes of the messages) can promote protection against breast cancer and guide health behaviors.


METHODS
Participants reported their personal, friends', and relatives' experiences with breast cancer and a memorable message about breast cancer if one came to mind. Those with a memorable message reported its perceived speech acts.


RESULTS
Individuals who had personal and friend or relative experience with breast cancer were significantly more likely to recall memorable messages than other respondents. The most frequently perceived speech acts were providing facts, providing advice, and giving hope.


CONCLUSIONS
This information should be used to form messages in future breast cancer protection campaigns.
Smith
Sandi W
SW
Michigan State University, 573a Communication Arts and Sciences Bldg,East Lansing, MI 48823, USA. smiths@msu.edu
Atkin
Charles
C
Skubisz
Christine M
CM
Nazione
Samantha
S
Stohl
Cynthia
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult