Increasing Cancer Screening: Mass Media
(2008 Archived Review)
This is an archived summary of the systemic review and Task Force finding published in 2008. Read a summary of the updated review and related Task Force finding.
Mass media, including television, radio, newspaper, magazines, and billboards, can educate and motivate people to be screened for cancer. These sources can be used alone or in combination with other approaches, such as client reminders. The cancer screening review assessed the effectiveness of mass media when used alone.
Summary of Task Force Recommendations & Findings
The Community Preventive Services Task Force finds insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of mass media when used alone in increasing screening rates for:
- Breast cancer (no studies qualified for review)
- Cervical cancer (qualifying studies reported positive findings but had some methodological limitations)
- Colorectal cancers (no studies qualified for review)
Results from the Systematic Review
Breast Cancer
No studies qualified for the systematic review.
Cervical Cancer
The evidence was insufficient to determine effectiveness because only two studies of adequate quality were found.
Colorectal Cancer
No studies qualified for the systematic review.
These findings were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice and policy related to cancer prevention and control.
Supporting Materials
- Analytic framework
[PDF - 410KB] - Evidence Gaps
- Summary evidence table [PDF - 16KB]
- Included Studies
- Search Strategy
Publications
Baron RC, Rimer BK, Breslow RA, et al. Client-directed interventions to increase community demand for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening: a systematic review. [PDF - 1.05MB] Am J Prev Med 2008;35(1S): S34-55.
Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations for client- and provider-directed interventions to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. [PDF - 74KB] Am J Prev Med 2008;35(1S): S21-5.
More Community Guide publications about Cancer Prevention and Control
Disclaimer
The findings and conclusions on this page are those of the Community Preventive Services Task Force and do not necessarily represent those of CDC.
Sample Citation
The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation:
Guide to Community Preventive Services. Increasing cancer screening: mass media (2008 archived review). www.thecommunityguide.org/cancer/screening/client-oriented/MassMedia_archive.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.
Review completed: July 2008
- Page last reviewed: March 14, 2011
- Page last updated: January 13, 2012
- Content source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services
