How Mass Communication and Digital Communication Can

Enhance the Well-Being of Cancer Patients 1

How Mass Communication and Digital Communication Can Enhance the Well-Being of Cancer
Patients

Kristen Desprez
Com 1010

University of Utah

Introduction
Our healthcare system in the United States has seen an increase in electronic patient education
and communications over the past five years. These communications include the use of social
media, email and text messaging. Health communication can enhance the quality of life of
breast cancer patients by creating a bridge of information between the health-care providers,
family members of the patient, and other breast cancer sufferers. Communication is central to
quality cancer care, from primary prevention to survivorship (Hewitt & Simone, 2009). Breast
cancer affects one in eight women and is the second leading cause of cancer death among women
(American Cancer Society, 2007).
This article examines how the use of technology can enhance and improve the health and quality
of life for breast cancer patients. The focus will be on the benefits of electronic communication
technology, such as mass communications and digital communications, including text
messaging, email, and social media and its effects on breast cancer patients. The use of
technology to support patient-provider communications and its benefits for positive outcomes
will also be examined.
This topic of inquiry is important to this examiner since cancer has plagued my family for
generations. This article does not look for cures or a magic bullet but intends to examine how
mass communication and digital communication can contribute and benefit the cancer patient.
Methods
The method of inquiry for the research question was to investigate various research papers,
medical journals, and online blogs of breast cancer patients in the United States. This researcher
also contacted multiple family members and survivors of family members who had been exposed

How Mass Communication and Digital Communication Can

Enhance the Well-Being of Cancer Patients 3
to cancer, particularly breast cancer. There were two specific studies that were examined along
with interviews of known breast cancer patients.
Participants
The data examined was gathered as a section of a specific pilot project of breast cancer patients
identified as the Digital Divide located in the Mid-West. The patients in the study were from
low-income backgrounds and were given the opportunity for access to technology for a period of
four months (Gustafson, Hawkins et al., 2006). The participants were considered appropriate
candidates for the study if they met or were below 250% of the Federal poverty level; had
metastatic breast cancer within one year of the original diagnosis, and had the reading
comprehension skills necessary to understand an informed consent letter. The participants were
advanced a computer along with Internet access. They were given cursory training to learn how
to use their technology with an emphasis on a breast cancer health communication site CHESS.
The criteria for being considered active was if the participant responded a minimum of three
times corresponding via messages, blogs, specifically with itinerant care-givers, or other health
care staff. The women were encouraged to write detailed information about themselves and their
condition to share with other online breast cancer patients.
Traditionally, emotional support has always been considered part of the treatment plan for breast
cancer patients. In another recent study conducted by the Department of Community and
Leadership Development, University of Kentucky, the patients had their expressive and receptive
technology-driven messages tracked. The analysis resulted from logging the content of the
discussion posts. The effects of breast cancer patients having the opportunity to express
themselves and receive emotional support messages from online groups has proven to enhance

their treatment plan as well as their well being (Tae Joon Moon, Oxford Journal, Vol 2013, Issue
47).
Personal interviews and online communication was established with multiple family members
who currently have cancer. The data collected attempted to mimic the technology-enhanced
communication by reaching out to the patients through email, text messaging and Facebook.
There were four close family members who participated in a three-week study. There were
numerous, often times daily conversations and inquiry between the researcher and the patients.
At the end of the three weeks, all patients were asked the same interview questions.
Another area of inquiry briefly examined was the potential effectiveness of mass communication
for this targeted study group. This researcher looked into how specific information regarding
breast cancer support was distributed to the local community. Although there are evidence-based
interventions that support mass media communications for healthy-living support, it was difficult
to find specific examples that targeted breast cancer patients. Most of the mass media literature
was found in the offices of oncologists of the family members that were interviewed.
Data/Findings
The results of examining the Digital Divide study indicated that the patients had an increase of
positive sense of well being over the four-month period. There were strong indications that the
bonds that were formed during that four-month trial gave all patients some additional emotional
support that was measured by an increase of written responses. Breast cancer patients reported
that they felt overall a decrease in depression and physical discomfort. This translated into an
increase of positive reframing and use of coping strategies. The benefits of social media and
digital technology cannot be understated as a support system to breast cancer patients.

How Mass Communication and Digital Communication Can

Enhance the Well-Being of Cancer Patients 5

The results of the study conducted at the University of Kentucky were similar in that the
emotional support increases perceived bonding, which in turn mediates the effects on patients
positive coping strategies (Bryan McLaughlin, Oxford Journal, Vol 2013, Issue 47).
The interviews with family members were the most telling. Personal connections to anyone
dealing with cancer will always be an emotional struggle. Hearing from family members that
their days were uplifted and they enjoyed a better quality of life due to digital technology was
encouraging. Family members had a much easier time corresponding with one another as well as
with other cancer patients. There are so many opportunities on social media for them to explore.
One site in particular established a bond for one family member. The site was a blog written by a
young man struggling with cancer that usually strikes people in their mid-sixties (Hands-OnHealthcare, Scrubbing-in, March, 2015). A family member responded to the blog and what
ensued was a little magical. They found a connection and are communicating on a weekly basis.
This is drawing together two unknowns as well as two people with a huge age difference and
giving both of them the opportunity to support one another and maintain positive outcomes from
their illness.
Analysis
The benefits of digital technology in the lives of cancer patients are undeniable. The support and
new avenues of hope can be discovered are innumerable. It personally has been a great
opportunity for my family members to reach out and at the same time be willing to support
others in similar circumstances. One note of discovery while exploring the effects of technology
on breast cancer patients: In the study from the Digital Divide, there was an increase of negative
feelings and depression associated with a small percentage of the target group. This was

attributed to the participants spending many hours a week talking about their illness. This led to a
group of women in the study to report that they did not have an increase of positive feelings
about their condition; but rather turned inward with negative feelings and depressed behavior.
Conclusion
Implications of the findings in the research indicate that mass communication and digital
communication can benefit and enhance the well being of breast cancer patients. In order to use
this method of communication effectively, people should realize the benefits as well as the
limitations of social media, text messaging and emails. Conflicts can arise with use of digital
technology as mentioned in the Digital Divide study. Mass communication possibly can be
effective, but whether it will make a significant impact on the behavior of the target group is
difficult to assess.
Suggested next steps for this researcher is to continue using the various digital technology to
encourage positive outcomes and communication from family members. The next steps for the
family members would be to encourage them to be supportive of the new people they have met
through digital technology and to see the benefit of reaching out. Local communities can benefit
when made aware of the needs and supports that are available within their own surroundings