Evaluating and providing quality health information for adolescents and young adults with cancer

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs, 15-39 years old) are an ideal population to benefit from the ever-expanding number and variety of cancer information and health resources available via the Internet and other digital platforms. However, the ability of individual AYAs to fully utilize such resources depends on their degree of health literacy. Across the trajectory of cancer care, an important role for the oncology clinician is assisting AYAs and caregivers in accessing quality health information consistent with their level of health literacy. Working from the premise that all AYAs with cancer and their caregivers deserve to be empowered with maximal knowledge about their condition, this review provides information to assist oncology clinicians in (1) understanding the variety of contemporary online resources that are currently available, including their strengths and limitations; (2) evaluating the quality of health information; and (3) recommending specific health information resources to their AYA patients. K E Y W O R D S adolescent and young adult, health communication, health education, health information, health literacy, health promotion, patient education

Analysis of Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Adolescents and Young Adults in Two Texas Rural Communities

“…They constitute a salient population for digital use to translate and transfer information to improve health outcomes by providing messages geared at the levels of cognitive capacity and psychosocial development. 12 Research indicates gender differences in cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Traditionally males have a history of lower participation in cancer screenings.…”

Accuracy and Reliability of Internet Resources for Information on Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance—What Information Is out There for Our Patients?

“…The variety of online sources on health- and disease-related topics published on or delivered by the World Wide Web is enormous: websites provided by academic or non-academic institutions, social media, blogs and support forums, patient portals, news aggregators, etc. [ 5 ]. The 2019 survey by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, revealed that “one in two citizens (53%) aged 16–74 reported that they sought online health information related to injury, disease, nutrition, improving health or similar” during the last three months [ 6 ].…”

Childhood Leukemia and Non-hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors Lack of Knowledge About Their Past Disease and Possible Late Effects. I-BFM ELTEC Study With Chilean and Croatian Participation.

“…In this survey it was still an option with a low percentage, but will surely assume greater importance, especially under current pandemic circumstances, which make it necessary to familiarize a high percentage of the population with virtual education. Moreover, the internet is a tool to be considered in health education, but in a targeted way, making reliable sites known, and guiding patients about them [27,28]. A recent work on health information suggests that this may incorporate various methodologies, but in the current era must include digital strategies.…”

“…A recent work on health information suggests that this may incorporate various methodologies, but in the current era must include digital strategies. The information should be coordinated by trained health educators in this eld [28]. It is important that health education has clear basic objectives, is programmed from diagnosis, continues over time, and has formative evaluations carried out throughout the disease process to reinforce areas that have not been learned [29].…”