Internet use by patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy

Abstract

Objectives To analyze the amount of Internet use, type of Internet use, and factors that predict Internet use by patients with prostate cancer. Methods A questionnaire evaluating the use of the Internet was given to 295 patients undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer in three different settings: an academic center (AC), a Veterans Affairs center (VA), and a community hospital. The study included 171 AC patients (58%), 104 VA patients (35%), and 20 community hospital patients (7%). Results The response rate to the questionnaire was greater than 99%. Overall, 128 (43%) of 295 patients had a home computer. This differed among the institutions, with 64% of AC patients and only 5% of VA patients having a home computer ( P <0.0001). Overall, 94 (32%) of 295 patients used the Internet to access cancer information, with 48% of AC patients and 8% of VA patients using the Internet ( P <0.0001). Seventeen percent of black patients (n = 113) had a home computer compared with 62% of white patients (n = 175; P <0.0001). Equal access to computers did not influence Internet use because, among those patients who had access to computers, black patients used the Internet less than did white patients (32% versus 61%, P <0.0001). Men 65 years of age or younger were more likely to use the Internet (45%) than those older than 65 years (28%; P = 0.004). Patients used many sites to access different types of information. Conclusions A significant number of patients with prostate cancer access the Internet to obtain cancer information. Urologists and radiation oncologists should be familiar with this important resource to help patients access appropriate material.