Differences in the Evaluations of Communication Sources by Women Who Have Had a Mammogram

Abstract

This study examined the evaluations of 209 women who had had a mammogram concerning four different sources of cancer-related information: physicians, friends and family, organizations, and the media. The women were asked to identify the sources of information that had provided the information within the previous 12 months and then were asked to evaluate the accuracy, credibility, understandability, clarity, usefulness, and novelty of the information. Statistical analyses revealed significant interactions bctween the women and the sources of information and significant main effects for sources and evaluations. The authors discuss the theoretical and pragmatic implications of the results for future cancer control efforts and health marketing campaigns.