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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

A Qualitative Content Analysis of Breast Cancer Narratives Hosted Through the Medium of Social Media

Niamh M. Foley, Máirín O’Mahony, Elaine A. Lehane, Tulin Cil, Mark A. Corrigan

Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research · pp. 474–483 · Published 27 Dec 2014

10.9734/BJMMR/2015/15309

Abstract

Aims: Social media and networking host a significant amount of breast cancer related information. Breast cancer accounts for the largest number of new internet postings amongst the top four cancers. The objective of this study was to apply qualitative content analysis to the most highly rated breast cancer narratives hosted on youtube and identify the common themes. Study Design: Qualitative content analysis of youtube video blogs. Methodology: Data for analysis were extracted from youtube. The search terms used were “breast cancer survivor” and “breast cancer stories”. All clips were transcribed in their entirety. Data were analysed subsequently. Results: The overarching theme apparent from transcript analysis was that of ‘the experience of fighting cancer’. Five categories, namely, (1) ‘first finding out’, (2) coping strategies, (3) ‘living with uncertainty’, (4) ‘reaching out and giving back’ and (5) ‘learning lessons’ were identified as key issues for participants in fighting cancer. Conclusion: Participating in blogs generates important peer and social support. Many patients wanted to ‘reach out and give back’, an endeavour contributing to satisfaction among breast cancer survivors in peer support programmes and an enormous resource to potential survivorship programmes.

Breast cancer oncology social media survivorship social support support groups

Cited by 35

Digital Trends, Digital Literacy, and E-Health Engagement Predictors of Breast and Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Samar J. Melhem, Shereen Nabhani-Gebara, Reem Kayyali · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2023

References

· The Language of Illness and Death on Social Media · 2018

Analysis of the most viewed Hindi YouTube videos on breast cancer

Nibha Sinha, Alka Sharma · Indian Journal of Cancer · 2022

Cancer patient perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic: A thematic analysis of cancer blog posts

Matthew A Hintermayer, Mark Sorin, Joan M Romero · Patient Experience Journal · 2020

Community narratives on Facebook regarding mobile phone use while driving and road policing technologies

K. B. Stefanidis, C. Schiemer, J. Freeman · Traffic Injury Prevention · 2023

Virality, Measurement and Biological Citizenship

Carsten Stage · Networked Cancer · 2017

Exploring Strategies for Using Social Media to Self-Manage Health Care When Living With and Beyond Breast Cancer: In-Depth Qualitative Study

Cathy Ure, Anna Mary Cooper-Ryan, Jenna Condie · Journal of Medical Internet Research · 2020

Vital Media: The Affective and Temporal Dynamics of Young Cancer Patients’ Social Media Practices

Carsten Stage, Karen Hvidtfeldt, Lisbeth Klastrup · Social Media + Society · 2020

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