Content Quality of YouTube Videos About Metastatic Breast Cancer in Young Women: Systematic Assessment

Nina Morena; Yitzchok Ahisar; Xena Wang; Diana Nguyen; Carrie A Rentschler; Ari N Meguerditchian

doi:10.2196/45101

Content Quality of YouTube Videos About Metastatic Breast Cancer in Young Women: Systematic Assessment

JMIR Cancer. 2023 Nov 14:9:e45101. doi: 10.2196/45101.

Authors

Nina Morena¹, Yitzchok Ahisar², Xena Wang³, Diana Nguyen^{4

5}, Carrie A Rentschler¹, Ari N Meguerditchian^{4

5

6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Art History and Communication Studies, Faculty of Arts, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
² General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
³ Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
⁴ Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
⁵ St Mary's Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
⁶ Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
⁷ Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

PMID: 37737837
PMCID: PMC10685279
DOI: 10.2196/45101

Abstract

Background: Young women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are part of a digitally connected generation yet are underserved in terms of information needs. YouTube is widely used to find and identify health information. The accessibility of health-related content on social media together with the rare and marginalized experiences of young women with MBC and the digital media practices of younger generations imply a considerable likelihood that young women with MBC will seek information and community on the internet.

Objective: This study aims to assess the content quality of MBC YouTube videos and to identify themes in the experiences of young women with MBC based on YouTube videos.

Methods: A systematic assessment of MBC YouTube videos using the search term "metastatic breast cancer young" was conducted in August 2021. The search was performed in an incognito browser and with no associated YouTube or Google account. Search results were placed in order from most to least views. Title, date uploaded, length, poster identity, number of likes, and number of comments were collected. Understandability and actionability were assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT); information reliability and quality were assessed with DISCERN. Themes, sponsorships, and health care professionals' and patients' narratives were reported.

Results: A total of 101 videos were identified. Of these, 78.2% (n=79) included sponsorships. The mean PEMAT scores were 78.8% (SD 15.3%) and 43.1% (SD 45.2%) for understandability and actionability, respectively. The mean DISCERN score was 2.44 (SD 0.7) out of 5. Identified themes included treatment (n=67, 66.3%), family relationship (n=46, 45.5%), and motherhood (n=38, 37.6%).

Conclusions: YouTube videos about young women with MBC are highly understandable but demonstrate moderate rates of actionability, with low reliability and quality scores. Many have a commercial bias. While web-based materials have limitations, their potential to provide patient support is not fully developed. By acknowledging their patients' media habits, health care professionals can further develop a trusting bond with their patients, provide a space for open and honest discussions of web-based materials, and avoid any potential instances of confusion caused by misleading, inaccurate, or false web-based materials.

Keywords: YouTube; assessment tool; breast cancer; consumer health information; false information; health education; health literacy; media literacy; metastatic breast cancer; patient education; patient literacy; social media; treatment; videos; web-based; women.

©Nina Morena, Yitzchok Ahisar, Xena Wang, Diana Nguyen, Carrie A Rentschler, Ari N Meguerditchian. Originally published in JMIR Cancer (https://cancer.jmir.org), 14.11.2023.