Harkin, Lydia Jo, et al. "Navigating cancer using online communities: a grounded theory of survivor and family experiences." Journal of Cancer Survivorship 11 (2017): 658-669.

This study investigates the impact of online cancer communities on individuals affected by cancer, including survivors, family members, and those who are both. Through 23 in-depth interviews analyzed using a grounded theory approach, a theory emerged detailing how participants use these communities to navigate their cancer experience. The findings reveal that online communities help individuals become more informed, normalize survivorship through online friendships, and explore different relevant communities. However, challenges such as potential distress from befriending individuals facing mortality and difficulty finding shared experiences for rarer cancers were noted. The study suggests improvements in online community experiences through enhanced evaluation skills and better signposting to bereavement support.