When faced with potentially life-threatening diseases such as cancer, people often seek information about the disease and support from peers. According to a recent study co-authored Jan Van den Bulck, professor of communication studies, patients found that online resources featuring personal stories from other cancer patients provided them the most comfort. Television entertainment shows and medical dramas, however, can leave people feeling fearful and concerned because the storylines can be suspenseful. “We tend to worry about whether information found on the internet is reliable, but people look for more than just information. They are comforted and feel supported by the stories and reactions from people who are going through the same ordeal,” said Professor Van den Bulck.
