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Consulting "Dr. Google" for Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: A Contemporary Worldwide Trend Analysis
Giovanni E Cacciamani1, Silvia Bassi2, Marco Sebben2
1Department of Urology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Urology Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
European Urology Oncology
|August 4, 2019
Summary
Public interest in traditional prostate cancer (PCa) treatments is declining, while searches for active surveillance (AS) and focal therapy are increasing. Understanding patient information-seeking behaviors is crucial for informed decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Digital Health Trends
- Public Health Information Seeking Behavior
Background:
- The internet is a primary source for healthcare information, especially for conditions like prostate cancer (PCa).
- Understanding public interest in PCa treatments is vital in the digital age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze global search engine trends for prostate cancer (PCa) treatments from 2004 to 2018.
- To compare the popularity and temporal changes of various PCa treatment options.
- To assess the impact of clinical guidelines on public interest in PCa treatments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Google search queries related to PCa treatments worldwide (January 2004 - August 2018).
- Utilized join-point regression to analyze annual relative search volume (ARSV) and average annual percentage change (AAPC).
- Compared search trends before and after NCCN and USPSTF guideline updates.
Main Results:
- Interest in most PCa treatments like prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy significantly decreased over time.
- A notable increase in public interest was observed for active surveillance (AS) and focal therapy.
- Guideline changes (NCCN, USPSTF) correlated with decreased interest in traditional treatments and increased interest in AS and focal therapy.
Conclusions:
- Public interest is shifting away from traditional prostate cancer treatments towards active surveillance and focal therapy.
- Understanding these evolving search trends is essential for providing accurate, evidence-based patient information.
- This knowledge can support shared decision-making processes for prostate cancer treatment options.