Prevalence and Age-Related Patterns in Health Information–Seeking Behaviors and Technology Use Among Skin Cancer Survivors: Survey Study (Preprint)

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.