Cancer Prevention & Control, Client-Oriented Screening Interventions: Mass Media

(2008 Archived Review)

Task Force Finding*

Mass media—including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and billboards—are used to communicate educational and motivational information in community or larger scale intervention campaigns.

A review of available scientific evidence identified only two qualifying studies evaluating the use of mass media alone to promote cervical cancer screening. No studies were found evaluating its use to promote breast or colorectal cancer screening. The qualifying studies reported positive findings but had some methodological limitations. Therefore, evidence is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of mass media alone in increasing screening for breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer.

*From the following publication:

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.