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Using Google Trends to understand information-seeking behaviour about throat cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2019

M Faoury ,
T Upile  and
N Patel
M Faoury*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Southampton, UK
T Upile
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Southampton, UK
N Patel
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Southampton, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Morad Faoury, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK E-mail: moradfaoury@gmail.com Fax: 02380 333043
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Abstract

Objective

Many people seek health information from internet sources. Understanding this behaviour can help inform healthcare delivery. This study aimed to review Google Trends as a method for investigating internet-based information-seeking behaviour related to throat cancer in terms of quantity, content and thematic analysis.

Method

Data was collected using Google Trends. Normalised data was created using the search terms ‘throat cancer’, ‘cancer’, ‘HPV’, ‘laryngeal cancer’ and ‘head and neck cancer’. The search data was used to analyse the temporal and geographical interest pattern of these terms from 2004 to 2015.

Results

Three important peaks in searches for ‘throat cancer’ were identified. The first and greatest increase in interest was in September 2010, and there were also peaks in June 2013 and in October 2011.

Conclusion

Internet-search analysis can provide an insight into the information-seeking behaviour of the public. Mass media can hugely affect this information-seeking behaviour. Possessing tools to investigate and understand information-seeking behaviour may be used to improve healthcare delivery.

Keywords

PharynxPapillomavirus InfectionsHead And Neck NeoplasmsCorrelation Of DataData Analysis
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 7 , July 2019 , pp. 610 - 614
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019 

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Footnotes

Dr M Faoury takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented at the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists annual scientific meeting, 12 May 2017, London, UK.

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