Associations Between Health Information Sources, Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics, and Decision-Making Among Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

Background: Most breast cancer cases in the United States are diagnosed early, and women often must decide whether to undergo mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery to treat their cancer. Ideally, women engage in shared decision-making with their provider, which involves becoming informed about surgical options. This study examined where women obtain health information to inform surgical decision-making, sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with their use of specific sources, and potential factors (e.g., cancer stage) associated with surgical decisions. Methods: Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer ( Results: Women relied on various sources, including healthcare providers, the internet, social media, and friends and family. The most frequently cited were breast cancer surgeons, breast cancer organizations, Facebook, and spouses/partners. Women of color had higher odds ( Conclusions: These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of information-seeking and decision-making among women with early-stage breast cancer and underscore the need for continued research as the health information landscape evolves.