Abstract 2071P
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.
Resources from the same session
2086P - Management of opioids use disorder in cancer survivors
Presenter: Khalida Berkane
Session: Poster session 06
2087P - Impact of cancer pain on quality of life and financial well-being: A cross-sectional study on symptom management
Presenter: Raffaele Giusti
Session: Poster session 06
2088P - Management of cancer treatment-induced bone loss in patients with breast and hormone sensitive prostate cancer: AIOM survey among Italian oncologists
Presenter: Anna Amela Valsecchi
Session: Poster session 06
2090P - Management of trastuzumab deruxtecan-related nausea and vomiting in real-world practice
Presenter: Luca Licata
Session: Poster session 06
2091P - Dermocosmetics in management of cancer-related skin toxicities: International expert consensus highlighting the key role of oncology nurses
Presenter: Pascale Dielenseger
Session: Poster session 06
2092P - Bone loss in premenopausal Algerian women treated with chemotherapy for early-stage of breast cancer: Evaluation by DXA and identification of associated risk factors
Presenter: MACHEROUM Fatma zohra
Session: Poster session 06
2093P - Bioelectrical Impedance phase angle and obesity as a prognostic indicator in metastatic gastric cancer patients receiving second-line chemotherapy
Presenter: SangUk Han
Session: Poster session 06
2094P - A multicenter phase II trial of the triplet antiemetic therapy with palonosetron, aprepitant and olanzapine for highly emetogenic chemotherapy in breast cancer
Presenter: Shinya Takada
Session: Poster session 06
2095P - Cancer rehabilitation program for cancer-related fatigue
Presenter: Aizhan Bekisheva
Session: Poster session 06