Breast Cancer Voices on Pinterest: Raising Awareness or Just an Inspirational Image?. (December 2019) - Miller, Carrie A.
The public increasingly searches for and discusses health information online, but few studies have examined breast cancer–related posts on visual social media platforms. To shed light on cancer-focused posts on the visual social media platform Pinterest, this study analyzed a random sample of 476 breast cancer–related posts (also referred to as "pins"). Using a quantitative content analysis, pins were coded for type of visual and textual information included and user engagement with pins (i.e., frequency of repins and comments). This novel research supports the current use and potential future utility of Pinterest as a venue for health communication related to breast cancer. Study results have important implications for the development of future health promotion programs on Pinterest aimed at reducing breast cancer risk among women.