Associations Between Health Information Sources, Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics, and Decision-Making Among Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Background Most breast cancer cases in the United States are diagnosed early, and women often must decide whether to undergo mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery to treat their cancer. Ideally, women engage in shared decision-making with their provider, which involves becoming informed about surgical options. This study examined where women obtain health information to inform surgical decision-making, sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with their use of specific sources, and potential factors (e.g., cancer stage) associated with surgical decisions. Methods Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer ( N  = 194) completed an online survey assessing the health information sources they used to inform their surgical treatment decision. Results Women relied on various sources, including healthcare providers, the internet, social media, and friends and family. The most frequently cited were breast cancer surgeons, breast cancer organizations, Facebook, and spouses/partners. Women of color had higher odds ( OR  = 2.99, 95% CI = [.03, 2.16]) of utilizing information from friends and family, whereas women with more advanced disease had lower odds ( OR = .59, 95% CI = [.09, .96]). Women who were married, had a family history of breast cancer, and used social media were more likely to have had a mastectomy. Conclusions These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of information-seeking and decision-making among women with early-stage breast cancer and underscore the need for continued research as the health information landscape evolves.