Internet Search Trends on Breast Cancer Between 2017 and 2021 in Brazil: an Infoveillance Investigation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2023v69n1.3072Keywords:
breast neoplasms/epidemiology, time factors, information seeking behavior, internet, search engineAbstract
Introduction: Internet users frequently search for information on health issues. The behavior of Internet users may be related to health contexts experienced in their communities, reflecting unmet demands. Objective: To analyze the interest of Internet users on breast cancer in Brazil between 2017 and 2021. Method: An infodemiological study was carried out using the relative search volume (ranging from 0 to 100) for the term “câncer de mama” (breast cancer) in Brazil, retrieved from the Google Trends tool. The annual relative search volume was compared with a non-parametric approach and significance value (p) of 5%. Results: Except between 2019 and 2020 (p-value>0.05), there was a significant increase in Internet searches for the term “câncer de mama” in Brazil (all p-values <0.05). The peak of interest (relative search volume=100) was found in October 2020. Internet users who searched for the term “câncer de mama” often searched for signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Conclusion: The interest of Internet users on breast cancer has increased in recent years in Brazil.
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