Relating information needs to the cancer experience: 1. Information as a key coping strategy

Information-seeking behaviour is a strategy that many people use as a means of coping with, and reducing stress, throughout their cancer experience. The importance of providing information to people with cancer and many of the problems encountered with its provision have been well documented. Individuals frequently express dissatisfaction with the information given to them and experience difficulty in retaining and processing information. Lack of information may well lead to increased problems with anxiety and coping. This paper reviews and explores the literature associated with the information needs of people with cancer and the use of information as a coping strategy. The review forms part of a phenomenological study, conducted to explore the important issues for people with cancer that arose out of their cancer experience. Much of the literature discusses information-giving from the viewpoint of healthcare professionals rather than from the viewpoint of users and concentrates solely on information needs relating to the disease and its medical treatment. There is scant reference to the need for information on other issues such as available financial and community resources, or coping strategies.