Cancer-Related Internet Use and Online Social Networking Among Patients in an Early-Phase Clinical Trials Clinic at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

PurposeWe examined patterns, correlates, and the impact of cancer-related Internet use among patients with advanced cancer in a phase I clinical trials clinic for molecularly targeted oncologic agents.MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire on Internet use for cancer-related purposes that incorporated input from phase I clinical trial oncologists and patients was self-administered by patients age ≥ 18 years in a phase I clinic. Multivariable modeling was used. Data were analyzed for the overall sample and by generation, which was defined by year of birth.ResultsOf 291 patients (52% women, 82% non-Hispanic white, 50% age ≤ 60 years), 62% were cancer-related Internet users (CIUs). Cancer-related Internet use was associated with an income of ≥ $60,000 (odds ratio, 2.42; P = .004). CIUs used the Internet to learn about their cancer (85%), treatment adverse effects (65%), clinical trials (52%), new alternative treatments (42%), and symptom management (41%). CIUs most frequently used the hospital Web site (70%) to le...