Abstract 395P
Background
Google Trends, a free web-based tracking system of Google search volumes, can be used to monitor online interest in various health conditions, including lung cancer. This is particularly useful in the Philippines, the country named as the world's number one internet user in 2018. Understanding the pattern of information-seeking behavior of Filipinos with regards to lung cancer is crucial because it may inform public policy and potentially make lung cancer awareness campaigns more directed and effective in the population-based setting. Here we described patterns in online search behaviors related to lung cancer using Google Trends data on Google web and YouTube searches in the Philippines for the past ten years.
Methods
Relative search volumes on the term “lung cancer” from 2009 to 2019 were extracted from Google Trends. Both Google web search and YouTube search data were downloaded. The data were saved in a comma-separated values file then imported to Microsoft Excel where a graph was plotted and a polynomial trendline (second order) was added to estimate search trends over a time period. Regions and cities in the Philippines where the term “lung cancer” was most popular were identified. Related topics and queries were also enumerated.
Results
Trends in Google web search showed a steady interest in lung cancer for both Google web search and YouTube searches from 2009 to 2019, with peaks in 2014. No spikes were observed in August, the Philippines’ Lung Cancer Awareness month. Online search behaviour for lung cancer was greatest in Metro Manila and areas in Northern Philippines. Top related and rising topics and queries in lung cancer, both on Google web search and YouTube, were related to etiology, symptoms, and management of lung cancer.
Conclusions
Filipinos had a steady interest in lung cancer, as shown by Google Trends data for both Google web search and YouTube searches from 2009 to 2019. Cancer diagnoses of Filipino personalities in 2014 may have led to peaks in online interest. Filipinos were also interested to learn about etiology, symptoms, and management of lung cancer. These data may be used to leverage online interest to optimize lung cancer awareness campaigns in the Philippines.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
303P - Segmental mandibulectomy without reconstruction
Presenter: Yohei Morishita
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
304P - Survival outcomes and survival predictors in recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (R/M-HNSCC) patients treated with chemotherapy (CT) plus cetuximab as first-line therapy in a real-world study
Presenter: Filipa Pontes
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
305P - A retrospective study to evaluate patient characteristics for recurrent head and neck cancer after definitive treatment
Presenter: Tetsuro Wakasugi
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
306P - Efficacy and safety of apatinib in heavily pretreated metastatic adenocarcinoma of the head and neck
Presenter: Lin Gui
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
307P - Lacrimal gland tumours: Clinical and epidemiological patterns in the United States
Presenter: Mahmoud KhalafAllah
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
308P - Dental prophylaxis and 5-fluorouracil related oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A population-based cohort study
Presenter: Yi-Fang Huang
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
309P - Evaluation of a pharmacist-led opioid de-escalation (PLODE) program after chemoradiotherapy completion in head and neck cancer patients
Presenter: Ai Horinouchi
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
310P - Laser and PDT for the oral leukoplakia
Presenter: Sadykov Rasul
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
311P - Incidence of thyroid carcinoma in the Philippines: A retrospective study from a tertiary university hospital
Presenter: Priscilla Caguioa
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract
312P - Oral health disparities among privileged and underprivileged tribes of south India - A study on precancerous oral lesions prevalence
Presenter: Shanavas Palliyal
Session: Poster display session
Resources:
Abstract