Cancer research findings reported in newspapers as 'breakthroughs' are often not true breakthroughs and are likely to be giving consumers an overly optimistic picture of progress in cancer control, according to a report in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.

The research, conducted by Dr Ethel Ooi and Professor Simon Chapman of the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, assessed the importance of cancer 'breakthroughs' reported in the popular media 10 years after their publication.

They identified 31 reports of cancer 'breakthroughs' published in a quality 'newspaper of record' between 1992 and 1994. They then surveyed the opinions of cancer experts about the current importance of these alleged breakthroughs.

After 10 years, 13 of these reports (43 per cent) were judged as not having been supported by further research, with three (10 per cent) having been refuted.

Sixteen (53 per cent) were judged to remain potential breakthroughs, but more research was required. Eight 'breakthroughs' (27%) had been, or soon would be, incorporated into practice.

Health and medical stories are among the most frequent type of story reported on the front pages of newspapers.

Professor Chapman said the frequency and positive nature of these news reports may imply that a cure for the particular cancer is imminent.

"We found that 31 reports of different cancer breakthroughs appeared in 3 years in one Australian newspaper - nearly one per month," said Professor Chapman.

"With just over a quarter of reported breakthroughs being incorporated into practice a decade later, the falseness of this hope is obvious.

"While progress in medicine is nearly always 'evolutionary', newspaper reports of developments are typically framed as 'revolutionary'.

Professor Chapman said that while the breakthrough story seems destined to remain staple of medical reporting, the person who benefits least is the consumer. 

"Editors of medical journals would do well to require authors to include perspectives on breakthroughs that are intelligible to lay people. These should address what questions remain before the research could be of benefit to patients, whether patient trials have been conducted, and how long it is likely to be before any new treatment becomes available," said Professor Chapman.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

CONTACT:                 Professor Simon Chapman 02 9351 5203 / 0438 340 304
                               Email: simonc@health.usyd.edu.au
                               Judith Tokley, AMA 0408 824 306