A Comprehensive Analysis of How Environmental Risks of Breast Cancer Are Portrayed on the Internet. Issue 4 (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kulkarni, Shibani; Lewis, Kaleea; Arp Adams, Swann; Brandt, Heather M.; Lead, Jamie R.; Ureda, John R.; Fedrick, Delores; Mathews, Chris; Friedman, Daniela B.
• Is Part Of: American journal of health education. Volume 49:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 222
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; School hygiene -- Study and teaching -- United States -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; School Health Services -- Periodicals; 371
• DOI: 10.1080/19325037.2018.1473182
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-5037

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Effective online communication about the environmental risk factors of breast cancer is essential because of the multitude of environmental exposures and debate regarding the conclusiveness of scientific evidence.Purpose : The aim of this study was to assess the content, readability, and cultural sensitivity of online resources focused on the environmental risks factors of breast cancer.Methods : A purposive sample of webpages focused on environmental risk factors of breast cancer was obtained through a Google search using 17 search terms. Using nonparametric statistics, we assessed the content, readability, and cultural appropriateness of 235 webpages.Results : Eighty-two percent of webpages referred to research studies in their content. For the majority of sites, readability was at a high school reading grade level. Webpages were not explicitly intended for specific racial/ethnic groups.Discussion : Technical language and non-culturally specific messages may hinder users' attention to and comprehension of online breast cancer information. Additional research is needed to examine in-depth the accuracy of this online content.Translation to Health Education Practice : Findings suggest that collaborations between scientists, Health Educators, website designers/media professionals, and the community will be critical to the delivery of accurate, up-to-date, plain-language, and culturally sensitive information about breast cancer and the environment.