Using the Internet for information about breast cancer: a questionnaire-based study

To identify the proportion of breast cancer patients that used the Internet for breast cancer information; to classify patterns of use based on patient demographics; and to evaluate whether using the Internet for this purpose was beneficial or problematic. Also to recognize whether a specific demographic group was more likely to experience problems when using the Internet for breast cancer information.

A 10-item questionnaire was given to patients who attended the breast unit at the University Hospital of South Manchester between May and June 2011 following breast cancer treatment within the last 5 years.

200 questionnaires were completed. 50.5% of patients had used the Internet for breast cancer information, with younger (p<0.001) patients with a higher household income (p<0.001) being most likely to do so. The majority (73%) found it beneficial; however 31% had experienced problems. Ethnicity affected the likelihood of experiencing problems with white patients encountering fewer problems (25%) than non-white patients (64%) (p=0.008).

A significant proportion of breast cancer patients will encounter difficulties when using the Internet for breast cancer information, particularly those from ethnic minorities.

Health professionals need to include a discussion about Internet use in consultations with breast cancer patients.