Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy for Remnant Gastric Cancer
Published on: October 31, 2025
Listening to Learn: What Breast Cancer Podcasts Teach Patients
Hui Jie Gwen Farm1, Brandon S Chai2, Paris-Ann Ingledew3
1Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Background:
Podcasts are increasingly popular for health education; however, the scope and characteristics of breast cancer podcasts remain poorly defined. This study evaluates the characteristics of breast cancer podcasts, aiming to inform patient education resources.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty-five podcasts from Apple and Spotify were identified using the term "Breast Cancer" after screening against pre-determined inclusion criteria. Each podcast was transcribed and analyzed using NVivo. Extracted variables included podcast demographics, podcaster characteristics, and podcast content. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were performed.
Results:
Mean podcast length was 47.2 min (SD 22.2; range 12-106 min) and mean age was 0.6 years (SD 1.25; range 1 day to 4 years). Most podcasts originated from the United States (86%); were affiliated with personal (62%) sources; included patient (64%) and physician presenters (54%); and were targeted toward patients (74%). Interview formats predominated (72%), with a mean of 4.4 topics addressed per podcast (SD 1.2). The most covered topic was disease understanding (88%) and treatment and management (88%) while prevention was covered the least (36%). Common themes included: Living With Uncertainty, Reclaiming Control Through Knowledge, Cancer as Disruption and Trauma, Finding Strength Through Connection, and Redefining Life Beyond Cancer.
Conclusion:
Breast cancer podcasts are predominantly patient-oriented, interview-based, and produced by personal or nonprofit sources. They emphasize experiential narratives and psychosocial themes alongside clinical information. Findings support podcasts as an adjunct to traditional patient education and underscore the need for academic and healthcare institutions to improve content accuracy and reliability.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
01:15Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...