Social or economic concerns: How news and women's magazines framed breast cancer in the 1990s

Media framing of complex diseases is important because the way these are presented may affect individuals' choices regarding health. The authors analyzed 127 articles on breast cancer from three ne ius magazines and full women's magazines to examine whether they focused on social or economic issues. Two content analysis methods were used to determine the issues, sources, and frames. Issues in news and women's magazines were significantly different, with women's magazines offering more personal stories and comprehensive information. Although both presented information on prevention and treatment, news magazines framed breast cancer from an economic angle, focusing on insurance and research funding.