The Angelina effect revisited: Exploring a media‐related impact on public awareness

Abstract

BACKGROUND In 2013, Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy and publication of her personal treatment choice for BRCA1 positivity generated considerable media attention. To the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first prospective survey conducted among the general public to measure a quantifiable media‐related effect on public awareness. METHODS The authors analyzed the changes in the general public's awareness of reconstructive options in breast cancer among 2 female population‐matched cohorts aged 18 to 65 years (1000 participants in each cohort) before (March 2013; poll 1) and after (June 2013; poll 2) the announcement of Ms. Jolie's mastectomy in May 2013. RESULTS There was an observed increase in public awareness: significantly more women from poll 2 were aware of reconstructive breast surgery being possible after breast cancer‐related mastectomy, notably with regard to autologous tissue and single‐stage reconstructions. Approximately 20% of the women in poll 2 (205 women) indicated that media coverage regarding Ms. Jolie affected their interest in breast cancer. A question that was exclusive to poll 2 revealed a preference for autologous (66.2%) versus implant‐based (8.2%) reconstructions, with the remainder indicating no preference (25.6%). None of the stratification variables were found to be associated with the above findings. CONCLUSIONS To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first prospective study to demonstrate a statistically significant impact of a celebrity announcement on public awareness regarding breast cancer treatment. The results underscore the importance of a media‐related impact for professionals in the health care sector, which can serve as a tipping point for raising awareness and improving knowledge concerning a specific disease among the general public. Cancer 2015;121:3959–3964. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Among Turkish University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In this context, celebrity announcements of breast cancer-related treatment has been shown to have a significant impact on public awareness regarding treatment methods [24]. For example, Angelina Jolie's breast surgery dramatically increased Austrian women's awareness of reconstructive breast surgery options [26]. We think that the media can be used more effectively in Turkey regarding this issue.…”

Factors Associated with Interest in Gene‐Panel Testing and Risk Communication Preferences in Women from BRCA1/2 Negative Families

“…Studies vary widely based on the questions asked, the context of the genetic testing, and on population characteristics such as income, age, education, and country. Most recently, intense research and media attention have elevated public interest in genetic testing for HBOC (Evans et al, 2014; Lebo et al, 2015). Family members may believe that gene-panel testing can provide more cancer risk information and cancer prevention options.…”

Trends in Use of Risk‐Reducing Mastectomy in a Context of Celebrity Decisions and Media Coverage: An Observational Study in the United States and Australia

“…In addition, a survey study in Austria demonstrated a substantial effect of media coverage of Jolie's health care choice on awareness of breast cancer surgery and reconstruction options (Lebo et al. ).…”

“…It has been reported in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States that since Jolie's announcement, there has been an increase in referrals for genetic counseling and testing (Dunlop, Kirk, and Tucker 2014;Evans et al 2014;Desai and Jena 2016;Raphael et al 2016;Freedman et al 2017). In addition, a survey study in Austria demonstrated a substantial effect of media coverage of Jolie's health care choice on awareness of breast cancer surgery and reconstruction options (Lebo et al 2015).…”

“…; Juthe, Zaharchuk, and Wang ; Lebo et al. ; Noar et al. ; Dean ; Desai and Jena ; Kosenko, Binder, and Hurley ), including increased online information searching and genetic testing and counseling.…”