Age differences in patterns and confidence of using internet and social media for cancer-care among cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES

The internet and social media provide information and support to cancer survivors, and adolescent and young adults (AYA, age < 40 years), adults, and older (age 65+ years) cancer survivors may have different needs. We evaluated the impact of age on cancer-related internet and social media use and confidence in evaluating online information for cancer-care decision making.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cancer survivors completed a convenience cross-sectional survey evaluating their cancer-related internet and social media use and their confidence in using these resources for decision making. Multivariable regression models evaluated the impact of age on usage patterns and confidence.

RESULTS

Among 371 cancer survivors, 58 were older adults and 138 were AYA; 74% used the internet and 39% social media for cancer care; 48% felt confident in using online information for cancer-care decisions. Compared to adult survivors, there was a non-significant trend for older survivors to be less likely to use the internet for cancer-care information(aOR = 0.49, 95% CI[0.23-1.03], P = .06), while AYA were more likely to use social media for cancer-care (aOR = 1.79[1.08-2.99], P = .03). Although confidence at using online information for cancer-care decision making did not differ between age groups, increasing age had a non-significant trend towards reduced confidence (aOR = 0.99 per year [0.97-1.00], P = .09). Most commonly researched and desired online information were causes/risk factors/symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis/outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Age may influence the use of internet and social media for cancer-care, and older cancer survivors may be less confident at evaluating online information for cancer-care decision making. Future research should explore other strategies at meeting the informational needs of older cancer survivors.