Patients' characteristics and rate of Internet use to obtain cancer information

J Public Health (Oxf). 2006 Sep;28(3):235-7. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdl019. Epub 2006 Jun 29.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present baseline data on the access to Internet by French breast cancer patients attending genetic clinics and to examine factors affecting Internet health-related use. Twenty-four percent of participants used Internet to obtain information about the disease. This rate was higher among patients with health occupations [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 2.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-5.1], the most highly educated (adjOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1-4.0) and those under 41 years of age (adjOR 7.3; 95% CI 2.1-26.2). Almost one of every three women was dissatisfied of this source of information.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Computers
  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Humans
  • Information Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Internet / statistics & numerical data*
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods*
  • Socioeconomic Factors