Using Social Media to Target Cancer Prevention in Young Adults: Viewpoint

Abstract

Focusing on primary cancer prevention can reduce its incidence. Changing health behaviors is critical to cancer prevention. Modifiable cancer risk factors include lifestyle behaviors related to vaccination, physical activity, weight control and maintenance, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. These health habits are often formed in young adulthood, a life stage which currently intersects with the growing population of digital natives whose childhood occurred in the internet era. Social media is a critical communication medium to reach this population of digital natives. Using a life course perspective, the purpose of this viewpoint paper is to describe the current landscape of nascent research using social media to target cancer prevention efforts in young adults and propose future directions to strengthen the scientific knowledge supporting social media strategies to promote cancer prevention behaviors. Leveraging social media as a health promotion tool is a promising strategy to impact modifiable behavioral risk factors for cancer and warrants further research on developing effective communication strategies in young adults to prevent cancer in the future generations.

Age differences in patterns and confidence of using internet and social media for cancer-care among cancer survivors

“…Age-related differences in internet and social media use for cancer care are likely multifactorial. We observed that younger patients were more familiar with technology and were more frequent users of internet and social media, contributing to higher use of internet and social media for cancer-care among AYA patients [19,20]. Older patients may report less psychosocial distress when compared to younger survivors and in turn may require less social support through social media or information-seeking behaviours [33].…”

“…There were age-group differences in confidence in using online health information for cancer-care decisions. Confidence with technology and higher education levels among younger patients may contribute to AYA patients being more comfortable with using online information for cancer-care decision making [19,20,23,34]. In noncancer studies, younger patients also trusted online health information more than older patients due to better health status and perceiving less vulnerability to low-quality health information [24].…”

“…Older cancer survivors are less likely to use the internet, often relying on younger family members to access information [17,18], potentially reducing the potential benefits of cancer care related internet and social media use [11]. In contrast, adolescent and young adults (AYA) are considered online experts or "digital natives" [19,20]. They have a set of unique emotional and physical needs relative to diagnosis, treatment and complications.…”

Social Media Use, eHealth Literacy, Disease Knowledge, and Preventive Behaviors in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study on Chinese Netizens

“…As a socially mediated factor, social media frames and reinforces social norms and enriches the ability of the public to receive health information, such as news, knowledge, and health behavior patterns. This knowledge can be rapidly and widely diffused by exerting social influences on people’s health behaviors through observational learning [ 23 ]. Therefore, the degree to which people’s use of social media to access health information for disease management may influence an individual’s health behavioral outcomes.…”

Social media use for public health promotion in the Gulf Cooperation Council

“…These platforms have unique features for exchanging and taking part in open-access information, supplying a channel for dynamic conversations, and allowing users to follow issues of their interest. 4 Social media platforms have been employed to increase awareness of DM, 3 obesity, 46 non-communicable diseases, 47 sexual health, 6 and cancers 48 among others. Besides, they can provide support for “community-based” lifestyle interventions for some people with special conditions like those with mental disorders.…”