Gendered cybersupport:
A thematic analysis of two online cancer support groups
Abstract
Within the last few years numerous support groups have emerged on the Internet, presenting new
opportunities for patients to communicate with health care professionals and other patients. The present study
examines discourse within online cancer support groups, increasing our understanding of sex differences in
cybersupport. Two reproductive cancer groups were chosen for this investigation, the Ovarian Problems Mailing
List (OPML) and the Prostate Problems Mailing List (PPML), making sex of the patient recognizable.
Phenomenological thematic analysis was employed to describe and interpret messages sent and received. Analyses
for the two groups were compared. Generally, it was found that the two online listservs provided opportunities for
cancer patients to receive support, within Western society’s accepted forms of gendered communication.
Keywords:
online
support
cancer support groups
cybersupport