Women with ovarian cancer’s information seeking and avoidance behaviors: an interview study

Abstract Objectives Despite the importance of using information for ovarian cancer (OvCa) disease management and decision-making, some women with OvCa do not actively seek out information. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that influence information seeking behaviors and information avoidance behaviors and information resources among women with OvCa and their caregivers. Materials and methods We conducted in-depth interviews with OvCa patients or caregivers of OvCa (n = 20) and employed deductive and inductive coding methodologies for analysis. Results Our analysis revealed 5 emerging themes associated with active information seeking behavior, 5 themes of passive information acquisition, and 4 themes of information avoidance behavior. Additionally, we identified participants’ preferred information sources for OvCa management, such as health organization or government operated resources and web-based social groups. Discussion To enhance information access, strategies should be developed to motivate people with OvCa to seek rather than avoid information. The study emphasizes the significance of promoting patient–provider communication and leveraging strong social support networks for effective information acquisition. Conclusion Our findings provide valuable implications for clinical practice and policymaking, emphasizing the need to improve access to information for individuals with OvCa. By addressing the identified factors influencing information seeking behaviors, healthcare professionals and policymakers can better support patients and caregivers in their information-seeking journey, ultimately enhancing disease management and decision-making outcomes.