A Comprehensive Analysis of How Environmental Risks of Breast Cancer Are Portrayed on the Internet

• Published in: American journal of health education 2018-01, Vol.49 (4), p.222-233
• Main Authors: Kulkarni, Shibani, Lewis, Kaleea, Arp Adams, Swann, Brandt, Heather M., Lead, Jamie R., Ureda, John R., Fedrick, Delores, Mathews, Chris, Friedman, Daniela B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Cancer; Cultural Awareness; Ecological risk assessment; Educational Practices; Environmental Influences; Environmental risk; Ethnic factors; Ethnic Groups; Health Education; Health risks; Human Body; Internet; Internet resources; Language; Minority & ethnic groups; Nonparametric Statistics; Readability; Risk; Risk analysis; Risk communication; Risk factors; Search engines; Sensitivity analysis; Statistical Analysis; Web Sites
• ISSN: 1932-5037; 2168-3751
• DOI: 10.1080/19325037.2018.1473182

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.