2071P - Identification of top issues and concerns of cancer patients in Korea on social media

Background

The objective of this study is to identify the major issues and concerns of cancer patients in Korea related to cancer, anti-cancer therapy, and patient care that are mentioned on social media.

Methods

We collected data from open-access forums, blogs, and social networking sites using professional ISO 20252 certified online access tools. We searched the terms “cancer”, "cancer treatment", and “patient care” and collected social media posts between October 2021 and September 2022, excluding spam and advertisements.

Results

Total 169,575 social media posts were collected. Among the posts, 51% were related to cancer symptoms, concerns following diagnosis, and cancer etiology, while 39% discussed treatment methods, treatment-related side effects, novel therapies, as well as costs. The remaining posts centered on how to manage in daily life. The most frequently mentioned cancer types were breast, lung, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer, consistent with common cancers in Korea. Concerning the difficulties experienced, 52% reported physical challenges, 42% reported emotional challenges, and 6% discussed daily life issues, such as diet and sexual relationships. Additionally, patients had high expectations for immune checkpoint inhibitors. Patients tend to view clinical trial participation as an alternative when conventional treatments are ineffective and see it positively as a way to participate without financial burden. However, some express safety concerns. Patients frequently shared tips for managing daily life on social media, such as healthy eating, taking supplements, and light exercise to maintain physical strength.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that cancer patients in Korea frequently use social media for information. The high frequency of emotional difficulties mentioned indicates that patients face persistent emotional challenges throughout the cancer journey. This study underscores the potential benefits of analyzing social media posts by cancer patients, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals and patients. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of the developing and delivering professional information on daily life management for cancer patients.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Korean Society of Medical Oncology.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.