Frequency of breast cancer, lung cancer, and tobacco use articles in women’s magazines from 1987 to 2003

Background. The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of articles in women’s magazines that address breast cancer, lung cancer, and tobacco use from 1987–2003 and to ascertain whether the annual number of articles reflected corresponding cancer mortality rates from breast cancer and lung cancer and the number of female smokers throughout this time period. Methods. We reviewed 13 women’s magazines published in the United States from 1987–2003 using the search terms breast cancer, lung cancer, smoking, and tobacco. We reviewed the abstracts or entire articles to determine relevance. Results. A total of 1044 articles addressed breast cancer, lung cancer, or tobacco use: 681 articles related to breast cancer, 47 related to lung cancer, and 316 related to tobacco use. The greater number of breast cancer articles compared to lung cancer articles was statistically significant (P value < .0001). The greater number of breast cancer articles compared to lung cancer articles combined with tobacco use articles was also statistically significant (P=.0012). The annual number breast cancer articles compared to the breast cancer mortality rate demonstrated a negative relationship. The annual number of lung cancer articles compared to the lung cancer mortality rate demonstrated no relationship. The annual number of tobacco use articles compared to the annual number of female smokers demonstrated no relationship. Conclusions. Breast cancer was more frequently represented than lung cancer or tobacco use in women’s magazines from 1987–2003 despite the increase in lung cancer mortality, a decrease in breast cancer mortality, and an insignificant change in the number of female smokers.