Using Google Trends Data to Study Public Interest in Breast Cancer Screening in Malaysia

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the public pattern in seeking breast cancer screening information in<br />Malaysia using Google Trends. Methods: The Google Trends database was evaluated for the relative Internet search<br />popularity of breast cancer and screening-related search terms from 2007 to 2018. Results: Result showed downward<br />trends in breast cancer search, whereas mammogram and tomosynthesis search fluctuated consistently. A significant<br />increment was found during Pink October month. Breast cancer search term achieved the highest popularity in the east<br />coast of Malaysia with [x2 (5, N=661) = 110.93, P<0.05], whereas mammogram attained the highest search volume in<br />central Malaysia [x2 (4, N=67) = 18.90, P<0.05]. The cross-correlation for breast cancer was moderate among northern<br />Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak (0.3 ≤ rs ≤ 0.7). Conclusion: Public interest trend in breast cancer screening is strongly<br />correlated with the breast cancer awareness campaign, Pink October. Breast cancer screening should be promoted in<br />the rural areas in Malaysia.