Analysis of Internet searches using Google Trends to measure interest in sun protection and skin cancer in selected South‐East Asian populations

Abstract

Background Analysis of Internet search trends has been performed to evaluate interest in sun protection, artificial tanning, and skin cancers among the public, particularly in Western countries. This observational study aimed to investigate the relative popularity of search terms relating to sun protection, sunburn, skin cancers, and tanning used in Google Trends® in three South‐East Asian countries (Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia). Methods The relevant search terms were queried using the Google Trends® in each location and worldwide. The search volume indices were compared between locations and over a time period from January 1, 2004, to January 31, 2019. Correlations between “sunblock” and “sunburn” as well as “sunblock” and search terms relating to skin cancers (“skin cancer,” “melanoma,” “basal cell carcinoma,” and “squamous cell carcinoma”) were evaluated. Results The favored search term relating to sun protection in this region was “sunblock” despite the term itself being a misnomer. The relative popularity of searches for “sunblock” also showed an increase over time and was generally higher compared with interest in sunburn, skin cancers, and artificial tanning practices. Positive correlations were noted between “sunblock” and “sunburn” in Malaysia and “sunblock” and “melanoma” in Singapore. Conclusion Insights into search trends may assist public health promotion to raise awareness regarding sun protection and skin cancers in the region by targeting commonly used terms for each geographical location.

Google searching as an indicator of population's interest in melanoma: A comparative study in Google Trends

“…2 Like other tumors, internet search data reflecting the interest of populations can also provide information about melanoma to estimate its incidence rates and trends over time. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] We aimed to question the interest in melanoma through an analysis of searches in Google Trends over the last 16 years.…”

“…6 The numbers of Google searches were found correlated with the German cancer registry data for melanoma incidence rates 7 and the search conducted in South-East Asian countries over a time period between 2004 and 2019 assisted public health promotion to raise awareness regarding melanoma in addition to sun protection. 8 There were controversial results about whether there was a relationship between the search term "melanoma" and melanoma incidence. 3,[5][6][7][8][9] While some found correlations, 3,6-8 even weak, 9 others did not.…”

“…Google Trends, a free search website that quantifies interest in topics at the population‐level by analyzing all search queries for a specific term across various regions and languages, is used as a research tool to analyze the interest of the general population in medical conditions 2 . Like other tumors, internet search data reflecting the interest of populations can also provide information about melanoma to estimate its incidence rates and trends over time 1,3‐9 . We aimed to question the interest in melanoma through an analysis of searches in Google Trends over the last 16 years.…”

Analysis of dermatologic conditions in Turkey and Italy by using Google Trends analysis in the era of the COVID ‐19 pandemic

“…On the other hand, there are 49.48 million (82%) internet users in Italy and Google is also the most popular search engine with a stunning market share (96.4%) in 2020 8,9 . The commonly searched diseases on the internet can provide information about the disease spectrum of the population 10,11 . Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate whether there are changes in the trends of dermatologic diseases in Turkey and Italy locations during the COVID‐19 pandemic by using Google Trends.…”

“…8,9 The commonly searched diseases on the internet can provide information about the disease spectrum of the population. 10,11 Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate whether there are changes in the trends of dermatologic diseases in Turkey and Italy locations during the COVID-19 pandemic by using Google Trends.…”