Tailoring Cancer Information for Older Adults in the Age of Social Media: A Systematic Review Protocol

Information needs are the foundation of cancer care and one of the most important contributors to supporting older adults with cancer. Existing literature highlights the struggles of older adults during cancer treatment decision-making, with people often leaning heavily on family and caregivers for informational support. There has been a shift in understanding the information needs of older cancer patients, emphasising that these needs are influenced more by personal experiences, beliefs and wishes rather than solely by age. The growing trend of accessing treatment decision-making information through social media platforms, and its impact on older cancer patients has not undergone thorough examination, particularly in relation to older cancer patients their varying levels of health literacy. Recognising the diverse factors contributing to meaningful treatment planning conversations is paramount in efficiently addressing the information needs of this population.

The proposed systematic review aims to understand essential information types older adults diagnosed with cancer, of all health literacy levels, seek out to support treatment decisions. Additionally, it seeks to identify the information sought by older adults with cancer on social media platforms during treatment decisions.

Primary studies published in English and indexed within Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed/MEDLINE will undergo systematic review.

The anticipated completion of the systematic review manuscript associated with this protocol is before December 2023.

No previous systematic review focuses on the informational needs of older cancer patients, with diverse health literacy levels, during treatment decision-making. The review outlined in this protocol will provide a nuanced understanding crucial for enhancing cancer care strategies within older cancer patients.