‘We Want Your Ideas…’ Examining the Care Needs of Women with Gynecologic Cancer Through Online Communities

The increasing morbidity and mortality due to cancer highlight the importance of identifying the care needs of individuals with gynecologic cancer in women’s health. Since gynecologic cancers can be seen as taboo in some countries and cultures, it may cause difficulties in expressing feelings, thoughts, and needs. The study consisted of the posts shared between September and December 2022 in the groups with the highest number of members among those created by women with gynecologic cancer on Facebook. The research was conducted with the netnographic research method, which is among the qualitative research methods. The analysis included posts shared between September and December 2022. Content analysis was conducted using the netnographic research method. The 253 comments included were subjected to thematic analysis and 17 sub-codes, 3 main themes, namely, Making Cancer and Life Adaptation, Reflection of Helplessness, Anxiety and Uncertainty, and themes and 7 sub-themes, namely, ‘seeking information for care’, ‘seeking similar experiences’, ‘seeking information about the course of treatment’, ‘seeking support’, ‘positive thinking/turning to spirituality’, ‘uncertainty about the treatment process’, ‘anxiety about the treatment process’, were produced. In the analyzed posts, it was determined that the support received by women with cancer from health professionals remained only at the medical treatment stage, and the physical and psycho-social care needs of women after treatment were not fully met.