Celebrity disclosure prompts public discourse regarding appearance changes related to breast cancer care: a content analysis of Internet comments

ABSTRACT

Background: In an op-ed posted on the New York Times (NYT) website, Angelina Jolie disclosed that she carries the BRCA1 genetic mutation and received a preventive mastectomy. Studies have since demonstrated a positive impact of Ms. Jolie's disclosure on breast cancer-related health behaviors. This qualitative study used conventional content analysis of comments to the op-ed to explore intermediate outcomes of the disclosure; specifically, how the disclosure influenced public discourse regarding appearance changes related to breast cancer surgery.

Method: After downloading all comments from the NYT website and using an iterative process to develop a standardized codebook, two researchers applied the codes using NVivo 10.

Result: Five subthemes were identified in sixty-one comments discussing physical appearance or body image in the context of breast cancer treatment or preventive care: appearance versus health, perception of breast appearance following surgery, partner acceptance of appearance following surgery, beliefs about others’ reactions regarding appearance, and beliefs about reconstructive surgery. While some commenters shared body image concerns following surgery, many were relieved to have undergone the procedure, valuing health over appearance. Most women stated that their romantic partners praised their appearance following surgery, although some worried about how they were perceived in public.

Conclusion: This study clarifies how celebrity disclosures about cancer may influence intermediate outcomes (e.g. interpersonal communication and beliefs about appearance-related surgical outcomes) hypothesized to contribute to changes in cancer prevention and treatment behaviors. More research is needed to further elucidate the relationships between celebrity disclosure, intermediate outcomes, and behavioral outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Breast neoplasms
• mastectomy
• appearance concerns
• body image
• celebrity disclosure
• online forum
• mass media
• online discussion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janna R. Gordon

Janna Gordon is a doctoral student in the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. Lauren Dial is a graduate student in developmental psychology at Bowling Green State University, Department of Psychology. Dr. Sarah Mills currently works at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Julia Drizin currently works at the Department of Public Health, Oregon State University. Dr. Laura Barnes currently works at the Department of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Virginia. Dr. Vanessa Malcarne currently works as a professor at San Diego State University, Department of Psychology and is the Co-Director of the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Elizabeth Klonoff currently works as the Vice President for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Allison Vaughn currently works as an associate professor at San Diego State University, Department of Psychology. Dr. Kristen Wells currently works as an associate professor at San Diego State University, Department of Psychology.