title: Information needs and Internet use in urological and breast cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to describe the information needs of urological and breast cancer patients and factors related to use of the Internet as a source of health information.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, using individual questionnaire-based interviews held during the oncology appointments of 169 patients with urological cancer and 100 with breast cancer at the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada, Spain. The variables studied were use of the Internet as a source of health information, health status, patient's role in the decision-making process, information sources, satisfaction with the health-care system, type of information received, and Internet use. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Breast cancer patients are more concerned with long-term results and the effects on their family and personal life. They are also interested in the experiences of other patients and support groups or staff who could help them to cope with their illness. The information needs of patients with urological cancer are linked to short-term alternative treatments, their sex life, keeping healthy, and exercise. More clinical aspects, such as tests and experiments linked to their treatment, are not a frequent information need. The factors linked to use of the Internet as a source of health information are younger age, high level of education, the patient's active role in the decision-making process, and undergoing more aggressive treatment. There is no link between using the Internet as a source of health information and level of satisfaction with the health-care system, or with Internet use in general.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients need additional information about their illness on top of that given to them by health-care staff, and they often use the Internet to find it. The greatest information need is related to the effects of their illness on their day-to-day life. Health-care staff should provide patients with advice about reliable websites and how to search the Internet.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Valero-Aguilera
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bermúdez-Tamayo
authors.forename: José Francisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: García-Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Pernett
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cózar-Olmo
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guerrero-Tejada
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alba-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*