An In-depth Exploration of Information-Seeking Behavior Among Individuals With Cancer

Abstract

This is the second of a 2-part article describing differential health information-seeking behavior (HISB) patterns within the context of a cancer diagnosis that emerged in our grounded theory study. Data from 30 semistructured interviews and 8 focus groups with individuals diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer were analyzed using constant comparison analysis, diagramming, and open, axial, and selective coding. In part 1, 3 HISB patterns illustrating variation in active information-seeking behavior were described: (1) intense information seeking a keen interest in detailed cancer information, (2) complementary information seeking the process of getting "good enough" cancer information, and (3) fortuitous information seeking the search for cancer information mainly from others diagnosed with cancer. Part 2 describes 2 additional patterns coined in this study as minimal information-seeking behavior limited interest for cancer information and guarded information-seeking behavior avoidance of certain types of cancer information. Part 2 challenges traditional views that consider disinterest and avoidance as similar concepts subsumed under "blunting." Findings may be used to refine informational interventions and measurement strategies to best differentiate between cancer information avoidance and disinterest.