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. 2019 May 25;20(5):1427-1432.
doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.5.1427.

Using Google Trends Data to Study Public Interest in Breast Cancer Screening in Malaysia

Mazlyfarina Mohamad  1 , Hui Sin Kok  1
Affiliations

Using Google Trends Data to Study Public Interest in Breast Cancer Screening in Malaysia

Mazlyfarina Mohamad et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the public pattern in seeking breast cancer screening information in Malaysia using Google Trends. Methods: The Google Trends database was evaluated for the relative Internet search popularity of breast cancer and screening-related search terms from 2007 to 2018. Results: Result showed downward trends in breast cancer search, whereas mammogram and tomosynthesis search fluctuated consistently. A significant increment was found during Pink October month. Breast cancer search term achieved the highest popularity in the east coast of Malaysia with [x2 (5, N=661) = 110.93, P<0.05], whereas mammogram attained the highest search volume in central Malaysia [x2 (4, N=67) = 18.90, P<0.05]. The cross-correlation for breast cancer was moderate among northern Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak (0.3 ≤ rs ≤ 0.7). Conclusion: Public interest trend in breast cancer screening is strongly correlated with the breast cancer awareness campaign, Pink October. Breast cancer screening should be promoted in the rural areas in Malaysia.

Keywords: Breast cancer; mammogram; tomosynthesis; breast cancer screening; early detection of cancer.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Breast Cancer, Mammogram and Tomosynthesis Relative Search Volume (RSV) for 132 Months
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interest of Search Terms by Regions in Malaysia (a) Breast Cancer (b) Mammogram
Figure 3
Figure 3
Monthly Relative Search Volume (RSV) for Breast Cancer and Mammogram before, During, and after the Campaign Period from 2012 to 2017
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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