Nearly half of all Canadian adults are asking questions about cancer, and most turn first to the web for information, leaving them confused, overwhelmed and stressed out, a new survey commissioned by the Canadian Cancer Society reveals.
Lacey Horta with the CCS spoke with Simi Sara about the survey.
“It’s not that patients don’t trust their healthcare professionals or doctors – the reason they’re turning to the internet is just strictly convenience.”
She says a lot of patients feel their appointments go by so quickly and they don’t always have a chance to ask their questions.
A lot of times people are just looking for some basic information about their options, and how to navigate through the system in general.
“We hear a lot of people calling with questions about the treatment options they’re presented with.”
Horta says common questions include information on statistics, success rates of different treatments, as well as their side effects.
Demand for cancer information is poised to climb even higher as the country’s aging population drives an expected 40% surge in cancer cases by 2030.
People can avoid search-engine overload by calling the Society’s Cancer Information Service at no cost to speak with a cancer information expert who will help answer questions and navigate available resources.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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