Understanding breast cancer survivors' information-seeking behaviours and overall experiences: a comparison of themes derived from social media posts and focus groups

Abstract

Objective: Using two different analysis techniques, this study explored differences and similarities in information-seeking discourse and overall breast cancer experiences between posters to a Reddit board and breast cancer survivor focus groups.

Design: This study incorporates two qualitative methods for determining themes in breast cancer survivors' information-seeking behaviours and overall cancer experiences. First, posts from a breast cancer-specific Reddit community were extracted and analysed using the meaning extraction method (MEM) to determine core themes. Then, investigators performed a thematic analysis of two focus groups of breast cancer survivors (N = 18). Finally, themes derived from each analysis method were compared.

Main outcome measures: Outcome measures include themes extracted from Reddit posts and themes generated from breast cancer survivor focus groups.

Results: Findings between qualitative methodologies represent similar yet nuanced themes in survivors' discourse. The MEM resulted in seven themes: diagnosis, treatment process, social support, existentialism, risk, information-seeking and surgery. Focus groups revealed the same initial four MEM themes plus the following: disclosure, coping and fears.

Conclusions: The MEM is a cost-effective research mechanism for informing common themes of experiences of cancer patients and survivors and may offer initial data to guide psychosocial oncology research design and recruitment.

Keywords: Breast cancer; focus groups; information-seeking; meaning extraction methods; social support.