Challenges of Reaching Patients With Cancer on Social Media: Lessons From the Failed #CancerRealTalk Experience

摘要

Online sources provide a robust opportunity for people with cancer to search for information regarding their diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. In a 2019 survey of those with cancer, 77.4% of participants noted that the internet was their most important information source, 80.3% sought out peers online, and 49.2% reported that their diagnosis was a catalyst for joining social media. Cancer is one of the most frequently searched health terms online. Coupled with the knowledge that public trust in traditional media sources is at an all-time low, it is vital to acknowledge the strong need for availability of accurate information online. Although this instantaneous access to medical information can be beneficial and empower patients to advocate for themselves and others in their cancer communities, many online sources, social media in particular, are often not vetted by physicians or other health care professionals and have a high risk of containing misinformation.