Relationship Between State-Level Google Online Search Volume and Cancer Incidence in the United States: Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the United States, cancer is common, with high morbidity and mortality; cancer incidence varies between states. Online searches reflect public awareness, which could be driven by the underlying regional cancer epidemiology.

Objective

The objective of our study was to characterize the relationship between cancer incidence and online Google search volumes in the United States for 6 common cancers. A secondary objective was to evaluate the association of search activity with cancer-related public events and celebrity news coverage.

Methods

We performed a population-based, retrospective study of state-level cancer incidence from 2004 through 2013 reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for breast, prostate, colon, lung, and uterine cancers

SUBMITTER: Phillips CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5778251 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature