Network news coverage of breast cancer, 1974 to 2003

This study content analyzed 602 news story abstracts on breast cancer from the three major TV networks during the past three decades (1974 to 2003). The amount of news coverage on breast cancer increased during the time period. Some topics, such as prevention and treatment, increased significantly, whereas other issues, such as surgery and celebrities, decreased. The use of thematic frames and discussion of research developments increased across time, whereas other characteristics of the coverage did not change, such as the dominant citation of medical doctors as sources.