After breast cancer diagnosis, women turn to texting

Women who turn to online communication after being diagnosed with breast cancer mostly use it for email or texting, rather than social media or Web-based support groups, according to a research letter published online July 28 in JAMA Oncology. But they also express higher satisfaction with their decision-making process around the diagnosis.

Lead researcher Lauren Wallner, PhD, from the University of Michigan and colleagues examined the use of online communication after breast cancer diagnosis in 2,460 women. Most of the women were white and had some college education; the average age was 62 (JAMA Oncol, July 28, 2016).

The group found that 41% of women reported some or frequent use of online communication, with email or texting being the most common (34.7%). Social media (12.3%) and Web-based support groups (11.9%) were used less often.

Younger women with more education were more likely to use online communication, and white and Asian women were also more frequent users, the researchers found. Women who made use of this technology were also more likely to express satisfaction with the decision-making process regarding their diagnosis.