Prevalence and Age-Related Patterns in Health Information Seeking Behaviors and Technology Use Among Skin Cancer Survivors: Survey Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Information is an unmet need among cancer survivors. There is a paucity of population-based data examining the health information seeking behaviors and attitudes of skin cancer survivors (SCSs).
Objective:
To identify prevalence and patterns of health information seeking behaviors and attitudes among SCSs across age groups.
Methods:
Analysis of National Cancer Institute population-based 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey 5, Cycle 3.
Results:
The 5438 respondents included 346 (6.4%) SCSs. Skin cancer respondents had a mean age of 65.8; the majority were white (96%, and 171 were men (48%). Most reported having ever looked for health (86%) or cancer (77%) information; 28% stated their last search took a lot of effort and 22% were frustrated. The internet was most often cited as being the first source that was recently used for health or medical information (46%). Compared to SCSs <65 years old, those ≥65 years of age were more likely to see a doctor first for important health information (68% vs. 36%, p<0.001) and less likely to have health/wellness apps (26% vs. 65%, p=0.1), to have watched a health-related YouTube video (13% vs. 27%, p=0.02), and to have used electronic means to look for information (61% vs. 82%, p<0.001)
Conclusions:
Health information searches are common among SCSs, but behaviors and attitudes are associated with age, highlighting the importance of access to doctors and personalized information sources.
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