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 P P P 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.