Men's preferences for sources of information about and support for cancer

Abstract Background. Compared with women, men utilize health services and psychosocial support services less, with important implications for the provision of cancer support and information services. This study investigated men's preferences for sources of information about and support for cancer. Methods. A survey of 1,461 men (46% response), aged 19‐91 years (mean = 54.31), in randomly selected community service men's clubs in urban and rural Queensland, Australia. Study variables included educational attainment, utilization of medical services, and preferences for sources of information and support for cancer. Results. Three ways of receiving support for cancer were identified: social support network, external emotional support, and external informational support. Social support network was most preferred, followed by external emotional and external informational support. However, less‐educated men were less likely to utilize external informational support and more likely to utilize social support netw...