ERIC Number: EJ1035001
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Sexualization of Awareness: Catchy, but Does It Actually Increase Knowledge of Breast Cancer?
Burgess, Melinda C. R.; Murray, Ashley B.
College Student Journal, v48 n2 p234-242 Sum 2014
Currently, in the United States, there exist numerous public awareness campaigns about breast cancer. Many of these campaigns are highly sexualized, focusing on the breasts as an object of fun, as opposed to focusing on information about prevention/diagnosis/treatment. In spite of their popularity, it is unknown what effect they actually have on knowledge about breast cancer, particularly in their target audience of young adults. We surveyed 255 college students to investigate the relationship of awareness of breast cancer campaigns and their knowledge of the risk factors, symptoms, and detection of breast cancer and recommendations regarding breast health. We found that while awareness of campaigns was positively correlated with knowledge of symptoms and diagnostic methods, it was not related to accurate knowledge of risk factors. Further, there was a difference in knowledge between those familiar with the sexualized prototype of I ? Boobies and the knowledge prototype of the Susan G. Komen campaigns. While awareness is an admirable goal, it does not appear that the sexualized campaigns are doing more than titillating young adults, while the more staid but informative campaigns do appear to improve knowledge. Future research should examine whether the sexualized campaigns increase interest in attaining knowledge.
Descriptors: Sexuality, Public Opinion, Cancer, Females, College Students, Human Body, Knowledge Level, Program Effectiveness, Young Adults, At Risk Persons, Health Promotion, Health Behavior, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Correlation, Clinical Diagnosis, Questionnaires, Student Characteristics, Gender Differences
Project Innovation, Inc. P.O. Box 8508 Spring Hill Station, Mobile, AL 36689-0508. Tel: 251-343-1878; Fax: 251-343-1878; Web site: http://www.projectinnovation.biz/csj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A