Reenika Aggarwal1,2, Katrina Hueniken1,2, Lawson Eng1,2,3, Shayan Kassirian1,2, Ilana Geist1,2, Karmugi Balaratnam1,2, Mindy Liang1,2, Chelsea B Paulo2, Arielle Geist1,2, Pryangka Rao2, Laura Mitchell1,4, Alexander Magony1,2, Jennifer M Jones2,5, Samir C Grover6, M Catherine Brown1,2, Jackie Bender2,5, Wei Xu2,5,7, Geoffrey Liu8,9,10,11,12,13, Abha A Gupta1,2,3,14. 1. Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4. Department of Nursing, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C1, Canada. 5. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. Division of Gastroenterology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 7. Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 8. Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geoffrey.liu@uhn.ca. 9. Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geoffrey.liu@uhn.ca. 10. Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geoffrey.liu@uhn.ca. 11. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geoffrey.liu@uhn.ca. 12. Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geoffrey.liu@uhn.ca. 13. Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, 610 University Ave, Toronto, Canada. Geoffrey.liu@uhn.ca. 14. Department of Pediatric Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer are increasingly using the internet and social media (SM) for cancer-related information. AYA face specific challenges and thus require tailored resources that meet their needs. We describe the internet and SM preferences of AYA related to their cancer information seeking behaviors and their preferences for a future resource compared to middle-aged adults (MAA). METHODS: Cancer patients completed a cross-sectional survey related to their internet and SM usage, cancer information, and preferences for future resources. Chi-square tests were used to compare AYA and MAA. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age in the AYA group was 30±6.1 years (n = 129); in MAA 55±6.7 years (n = 157). In general, AYA preferred internet sites over SM platforms for cancer-related information and prefer a website platform over a SM platform for a new resource. Few AYA were aware of hospital-based AYA-specific resources. MAA were less likely to use SM compared with AYA (13% vs 4%, p = 0.01); however, websites and SM platforms that were used were similar between the 2 groups. Participants endorsed having already researched certain topics - yet, these were also those desired in a new resource. Compared to MAA, AYA sought more information on diet/nutrition, physical activity, exercise/fitness, fertility, sexual health, and body image (all p values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AYA and MAA use similar resources on the internet and SM, but AYA sought information related to specific needs. Development of future resources should focus on an internet-based platform rather than a SM platform, coupled with promoting awareness of the resource.
PURPOSE: Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer are increasingly using the internet and social media (SM) for cancer-related information. AYA face specific challenges and thus require tailored resources that meet their needs. We describe the internet and SM preferences of AYA related to their cancer information seeking behaviors and their preferences for a future resource compared to middle-aged adults (MAA). METHODS:Cancerpatients completed a cross-sectional survey related to their internet and SM usage, cancer information, and preferences for future resources. Chi-square tests were used to compare AYA and MAA. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age in the AYA group was 30±6.1 years (n = 129); in MAA 55±6.7 years (n = 157). In general, AYA preferred internet sites over SM platforms for cancer-related information and prefer a website platform over a SM platform for a new resource. Few AYA were aware of hospital-based AYA-specific resources. MAA were less likely to use SM compared with AYA (13% vs 4%, p = 0.01); however, websites and SM platforms that were used were similar between the 2 groups. Participants endorsed having already researched certain topics - yet, these were also those desired in a new resource. Compared to MAA, AYA sought more information on diet/nutrition, physical activity, exercise/fitness, fertility, sexual health, and body image (all p values < 0.05). CONCLUSION:AYA and MAA use similar resources on the internet and SM, but AYA sought information related to specific needs. Development of future resources should focus on an internet-based platform rather than a SM platform, coupled with promoting awareness of the resource.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cancer survivorship; Internet resource use; Patient education; Social media
Authors: Katie Darabos; Lamia P Barakat; Marilyn Schapira; Christine Hill-Kayser; Lisa A Schwartz Journal: J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol Date: 2020-11-18 Impact factor: 2.223
Authors: Jacqueline L Bender; Natasha Puri; Sarah Salih; Norma M D'Agostino; Argerie Tsimicalis; A Fuchsia Howard; Sheila N Garland; Karine Chalifour; Emily K Drake; Anthony Marrato; Nikki L McKean; Abha A Gupta Journal: Curr Oncol Date: 2022-02-16 Impact factor: 3.677