Filipinos and lung cancer: An infodemiological assessment using Google trends from 2009 to 2019

Abstract

Abstract Background Google Trends, a free web-based tracking system of Google search volumes, can be used to monitor online interest in various health conditions, including lung cancer. This is particularly useful in the Philippines, the country named as the world s number one internet user in 2018. Understanding the pattern of information-seeking behavior of Filipinos with regards to lung cancer is crucial because it may inform public policy and potentially make lung cancer awareness campaigns more directed and effective in the population-based setting. Here we described patterns in online search behaviors related to lung cancer using Google Trends data on Google web and YouTube searches in the Philippines for the past ten years. Methods Relative search volumes on the term “lung cancer” from 2009 to 2019 were extracted from Google Trends. Both Google web search and YouTube search data were downloaded. The data were saved in a comma-separated values file then imported to Microsoft Excel where a graph was plotted and a polynomial trendline (second order) was added to estimate search trends over a time period. Regions and cities in the Philippines where the term “lung cancer” was most popular were identified. Related topics and queries were also enumerated. Results Trends in Google web search showed a steady interest in lung cancer for both Google web search and YouTube searches from 2009 to 2019, with peaks in 2014. No spikes were observed in August, the Philippines’ Lung Cancer Awareness month. Online search behaviour for lung cancer was greatest in Metro Manila and areas in Northern Philippines. Top related and rising topics and queries in lung cancer, both on Google web search and YouTube, were related to etiology, symptoms, and management of lung cancer. Conclusions Filipinos had a steady interest in lung cancer, as shown by Google Trends data for both Google web search and YouTube searches from 2009 to 2019. Cancer diagnoses of Filipino personalities in 2014 may have led to peaks in online interest. Filipinos were also interested to learn about etiology, symptoms, and management of lung cancer. These data may be used to leverage online interest to optimize lung cancer awareness campaigns in the Philippines. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.