BREAKING TABOO IN MEDIA CONCERNING BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER

Communication about health in general and cancer in particular is much like any other sort of goal-directed communication. In many ways, communication about cancer and cancer control is a restricted subset of health communication. Communications about cancer deal with a topic that is scary, negative, and may impact, in some way, virtually everyone. Some cancers were seen to be more taboo than others including breast and cervical cancer. Despite screening exams that can detect these cancers early and increase survival, screening rates are lower than expected rate. This study examined the sources of information and their impacts on cancer screening compliance among female staff. A cross sectional study was conducted at Faculty of Modern Language and Communication, university Putra Malaysia. A total of 82 female staff including academic and non-academic personnel was selected randomly to participate in the study. A self administered pre-tested structured questionnaire completed for the purpose of the study. A relatively small proportion of the respondents were compliant with recommended breast and cervical cancer screenings, and their screening rates were below compare to their knowledge level and perception. Knowledge of cancer risk factors and screening were not associated with higher rates of compliance with cancer-screening procedures. Since the mass media were the main sources of getting cancer screening information, it seems that there are some taboos in disseminating knowledge through media which could not able to change screening practice. Fortunately, the emergence of new media and information and communication technologies (ICT) has provided new ways to help bypass social taboos and provide effective education. Taboo that stifles discussion of cancer in the media had to be broken and women must know the importance of regular screenings for breast and cervical cancer.