Finding useful cancer information may reduce cancer information overload for Internet users

Background: An excessive overload of information causes an ineffective management of information, stress and indefiniteness. Furthermore, this situation can prevent persons from learning and making conscious decisions. Objective: This study aims to determine the cancer information overload (CIO) and the factors related to it in adults who are Internet users. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 482 Internet users was conducted. The data were collected by using an Introductory Information Form and the Cancer Information Overload Scale. Results: It was found that the Internet was the most used information source (62.2%). The CIO of those with a university level education was found to be high (P = 0.012). It was found that the CIO of individuals who used the Internet (P = 0.031) and newspapers/magazines (P = 0.004) as sources of information was high compared with those who did not use these sources. It was determined from the information obtained that those who found the information to be beneficial and enough had a low CIO (P = 0.004, P = 0.00). Conclusion: Health literacy around cancer information is challenging for frequent Internet users. Health professionals, information specialists and librarians should orient people to reliable sources. © 2020 Health Libraries Grou