Content shared on social media for national cancer survivors day 2018

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226194
• Publication Date: 2020-01-15T13:33:10Z
• Authors: Roy Cherian; Gem Le; James Whall; Scarlett Gomez; Urmimala Sarkar
• Keywords: Communication and Media Studies; 070; General Science & Technology; Science; Q; R; Social Support; Nursing; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Cancer Survivors; Clinical Research; Health Services and Systems; Health Sciences; Behavioral and Social Science; Medicine; Humans; Communication and Culture; Social Media; Language; Cancer; Research Article

Background Studies estimate that the number of cancer survivors will double by 2050 due to improvements in diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy. Despite growing population survivors, there is a paucity research regarding how these individuals experience transition from active long-term surveillance. While has explored this more organized venues, such as support groups for paper explores discourses surrounding survivorship on social media, paying particular attention who identify represent their experience. Methods We identified media posts relating Twitter Instagram early June 2018, order coincide with National Cancer Survivorship Day 3, 2018. used nine pre-selected hashtags content. For each hashtag, we manually collected 150 most recent 100 plus top 9 Instagram. Our preliminary sample included 1172 posts; after eliminating one hashtag irrelevance, were left 1063 posts. randomly sampled 200 create subset analysis; review irrelevant posts, 193 remained analysis (118 75 Twitter). utilized grounded theory approach analyze first open-coding develop codebook, then applying codebook rest finally memo writing themes. Results Overall, substantial difference tone thematic content between takes narrative form represents journeys through subsequent survivorship, whereas factual, leaning towards advocacy, awareness fundraising. In terms type, 120 (62%) images, which 42 (35%) images individual posting 28 (23%) patients posted family or friends. Of remaining 14 (12%) 7 (6%) four salient themes Instagram: support, celebrating milestones honoring expressing identity, renewal vs. rebirth. Discussion observed marked relationship physical appearance, functional status survivorship. Additionally, our findings suggest importance well role can pay identity formation. Conclusion define fluidly, incorporating elements physical, emotional psychological health autonomy.