Topics and Sources of Memorable Breast Cancer Messages and Their Impact on Prevention and Detection Behaviors

Abstract

Often, people are able to recall a message on a particular topic for a long period of time. These memorable messages have the ability to influence behavior when they are recalled from memory long after initial exposure. Knowing the topics and sources of the messages that are remembered about breast cancer can improve the efficacy of future breast cancer outreach. To this end, 359 women completed an online survey about memorable breast cancer messages. Most women (60%) recalled a memorable message, described it, identified its source, and noted whether it had resulted in prevention or detection behaviors. Four categories of message topics emerged: early detection (37.3%), awareness (30.9%), treatment (25.8%), and prevention (6%)). Furthermore, five categories of sources of these memorable messages were found: (media (35.5%), friends (22.2%), family (21.6%), medical professionals (15.2%), and others (5.5%)). The media were a major source of all four topics of messages although family members, friends, and the medical community were major sources for particular message topics, as well. Memorable messages originating from medical professionals were substantially more likely to motivate detection behaviors than prevention behaviors. This research demonstrates that message topic and source both play roles in determining message recall as well as in determining how memorable messages impacted behavior.

Memorable Messages and the H1N1 Flu Virus

“…These messages aid receivers in processes of meaning-making by guiding them in making sense out of contexts, understanding situations, and selecting appropriate courses of action. Memorable messages have been examined in several contexts, including organizational socialization (Barge & Schlueter, 2004;Stohl, 1986), higher education (Dallimore, 2003), aging (Holladay, 2002), athletic performance (Kassing & Pappas, 2007), final conversations (Keeley, 2004), breast cancer prevention and detection (Smith et al, 2009), and work-family balance (Medved, Brogan, McClanahan, Morris, & Shepherd, 2006). 626 N. Miczo et al Early research by Knapp and associates (Knapp et al, 1981;Stohl, 1986) delineated five characteristics of memorable messages that have been unevenly supported by subsequent research.…”

“…Given such criteria, a memorable messages framework (Knapp, Stohl, & Reardon, 1981) is an appropriate lens through which to examine the impact of flu-related health messages on health behavior. Research has established that memorable messages are relevant to chronic health conditions (e.g., breast cancer; Smith et al, 2009), but are they also viable for acute diseases, such as the H1N1 flu? H1N1 provides a unique opportunity to examine the initial stages of a concerted effort to create memorable messages about flu-prevention behaviors, many of which also protect against a variety of acute conditions.…”

Memorable Messages for Navigating College Life

“…As memorable messages have been shown to guide sense-making (Stohl, 1986), behavior (Smith et al, 2009) and self-assessment of behavior (Ellis & Smith, 2004;, they should help people deal with and overcome challenges in college. Additionally, these challenges could serve as input functions that begin the negative feedback loop, according to control theory.…”

The Pink and Black Experience: Lies That Make Us Suffer in Silence and Cost Us Our Lives

“…Network news stories and magazine article reports on breast cancer are able to heighten awareness and reach a broad audience (Cho, 2006;Smith et al, 2009). However, cultural expectations, media representations, and the commercialization of breast cancer can be deceiving, often leaving out vital information related to types of cancer, treatment options, long-term recovery, and quality of life.…”