title: A profile of skin cancer prevention media coverage in 2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the coverage of skin cancer prevention messages in news print media.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To perform a content analysis of mass-media articles from newspaper and magazines pertaining to skin cancer prevention in 4 specific months (January, May, July, and October) in 2009 and assess the extent of coverage of skin cancer prevention messages.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a content analysis of 144 articles related to skin cancer prevention extracted from strategic media scans of selected months in 2009. We sought to provide the frequency of mass-media content categorized by theme and focus related to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protection and risk-reducing behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The audience for the vast majority (78%) of the articles was the general public. Among the assessed articles, more were published in May (49%) and July (35%) than in the remaining other months. The two most frequent themes focused on 'protection of the skin' (32%) and on 'skin cancer prevention' (23%) via risk reduction behavioral practices. Analysis of message content regarding UVR reduction practices showed that many mentioned 'use of sunscreen' (65% of messages) with the least-often mentioned behaviors being 'seek shade' (6.3%) and 'do not burn' (1.4%). In addition, a quarter of the articles lacked any content mentioning recommended UVR reduction behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study was limited to the narrow scope of articles published in 2009 and for selected months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This profile of mass-media content regarding skin cancer prevention revealed gaps in coverage of UVR reduction behaviors with possible room for improvement. Strategies for improving and comprehensiveness of coverage of recommended skin cancer prevention behaviors in the media are discussed.
authors.affiliation: National Home Office, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, USA. vcokkini@cancer.org
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cokkinides
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kirkland
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: J Leonard
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lichtenfeld
mesh_terms: D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D008402:Mass Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009524:Newspapers as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents