Cancer in the Media: a Matter of Public Health

Abstract

This study approaches cancer in the media. It is based on the hypothesis that ten years ago cancer was considered a problem restricted to only a certain part of the population by the press. Nowadays, since the development of communication strategies, carried out by the National Cancer Institute (INCA) and by other related sectors involved in this issue, cancer has been seen as a matter of public health. Therefore, in order to contribute to guide the actions of the Communication Division in this Institute, it would be important to check if the press perception about cancer would be in consonance with the current Ministry of Health policy. This policy considers cancer as a matter of public health. It was also necessary to investigate the importance the press gives to the subject and if the approach given by the media has developed. Considering this goal, 13 journalists from the main means of communication in Brazil, and with experience in public health, were interviewed. Meanwhile, 360 articles published in the some important Brazilian magazines and newspapers from June 1997 to July 1998 and from June 2006 to July 2007 were analyzed.