Table 3.

Frequently mentioned resources, websites, and digital platforms used by young people

Website, resource, or application	When are they using it?	Why are they using it?	Comments from young people
Cancer Research UK	Throughout the whole cancer timeline, from prediagnosis to the end of and beyond treatment	• To search for all types of information: facts (about their cancer, treatment, drugs, procedures), holistic information (about body image, moods, body image) • To search for advice and strategies on how to cope • To search for peer support from other cancer patients	“The Cancer Research website is really good as well. The statistics.” [Workshop 1, young person 8] “I’ve seen people. They’re like, ‘I’ve beat cancer after this amount of time,’ that makes me quite happy… charity events to help people, so that inspires me. I want to do the marathon.” (Specific reference to Cancer Research UK Instagram page) [Interview, young person 5]
Facebook	Throughout the whole cancer timeline, from prediagnosis to the end of and beyond treatment	• To communicate with friends and family • To fundraise • To search for peer support from other cancer patients • Access Hospital/Unit Facebook pages to learn about social events that were happening • Cancer charity Facebook pages to find out other people’s experiences and helpline numbers (Shine, Teenage Cancer Trust, Teens Unite)	“I also enjoy Facebook. I also do use it throughout the whole day…when I was diagnosed we did loads of fundraising and Facebook just got it out there.” [Workshop 2, young person 15] “Facebook to give you contact with friends and stuff, I used that quite a lot during.” [Workshop 4, young person 21] “I know the Teenage Cancer Trust have a Facebook page because I remember meeting people through that as well. That was quite cool.” [Workshop 1, young person 7]
Google	Throughout the whole cancer timeline, from pre-diagnosis to the end of and beyond treatment.	• The main search engine used • Young people using it by looking at the “Top hits” and conducting “quick searches” • Used it as a link to other websites • To search for all types of information: facts (about their cancer, treatment, drugs, procedures), holistic information (about body image, moods) • To search for advice and strategies on how to cope • To search for peer support from other cancer patients	Google was a gateway to other sites and resources: “I think I probably used Google to get to all the other websites.” [Workshop 1, young person 9] Young people acknowledged that they could not always trust everything in a Google search “I will use Google but I’ll check several different tabs just to make sure that all of them are saying the same that it’s not just taken from a random website…” [Workshop 3, young person 17] Young people used Google to double-check information they have been given elsewhere “I just wanted to see what IAM [integrated assessment map] was saying, compared to Google…” [Workshop 3, young person 18]
Little Princess Trust website	On treatment, end of treatment and beyond	• To search for wigs • To find out how to donate their hair	Young people said they would have liked a gallery of wigs and what they look like: “What I did notice was that on the Princess Trust website, I would have wanted to see a gallery of wigs, to see, try and get an idea of what they look like, or what I could get myself, but I couldn’t find that.” [Interview, young person 1]
Macmillan Cancer Support website	Throughout the whole cancer timeline, from pre-diagnosis to the end of and beyond treatment.	• To search for all types of information: factual information (about their cancer, treatment, drugs, procedures), holistic information (about body image, thoughts and feelings, how to tell your family and friends you have cancer) • To search for advice and strategies on how to cope • To search for peer support from other cancer patients • To find out information relating to moving on after treatment finishes, such as travel and getting back to work	Macmillan was described by young people to be a trustworthy resource to seek information: “I would go to it because it’s a trusted site.” [Workshop 1, young person 12] “I use the Macmillan support website to check stuff that I do not know. Sometimes I want to know what chemo does, what it’s for and then I’d go on that kind of website.” [Workshop 1, young person 10] The Macmillan website was described as user-friendly to young people: “I think I understood everything on the Macmillan website. I do not think any of it was too difficult.” [Workshop 1, young person 11]
Macmillan Cancer Support app	On treatment	• Information and scheduling of when to take their tablets • Use it to schedule their appointments and as an organizer/diary	Young people liked the concept of the app, and said that they would in theory use it; however, unfortunately, it did not offer the specific information relating to their drugs: “There’s a diary thing, isn’t there? Macmillan app… it’s like a diary-based-, it’s just to keep you updated…When I tapped in my own tablet what I take, nothing comes up. So, there’s no point in having it.” [Workshop 4, young person 20]
Macmillan Cancer Support Forum	On treatment and beyond treatment	• To search for advice and strategies on how to cope • To search for peer support from other cancer patients	There were mixed feelings expressed about using the Macmillan forum. It was described as good, even though “there’s lots of scary cancer related things.” [Workshop 1, young person 13] “What I didn’t like about the Macmillan forums, which I accept is necessary, but there were lots of pages on the Macmillan forums which were like relatives or, like, widows and things, and it made me feel like I was doomed… most of the titles of the posts were like, ‘My husband has died and I do not know what to do,’ or, like, ‘My little girl’s about to die,’ it was kind of upsetting.” [Workshop 1, young person 11]
NHS website	Prediagnosis, at diagnosis, and throughout treatment	• Prior to diagnosis to look up symptoms • To look up information and facts related to their cancer and treatment, including prognosis, drugs, and procedures	Young people were reassured by the NHS logo accompanying the website and the information that was there was helpful, although it did not address some of the more young people specific holistic issues. “Before I knew what was wrong and you’re looking up symptoms, the NHS website was good.” [Workshop 1, young person 8] “If I’m unsure about a procedure, like before I got my PICC [peripherally inserted central catheter] line put in, I looked it up on NHS and Cancer Research UK, just what does that entail? How is that done? How would I feel about it? Does that make things easier?” [Workshop 2, young person 16]
Teenage Cancer Trust website	On treatment	• To search for other patients’ stories • How to manage their relationships with their parents/siblings/friends • To search for peer support from other cancer patients • Knowing what to expect when going through cancer	Young people had not used Teenage Cancer Trust website prior to diagnosis and tended to seek factual information from other websites. “The Teenage Cancer Trust have got quite a good part on their website about how to talk to people.” [Workshop 4, young person 21] “They had some videos on their homepage…looking at other patients’ stories…there could have been more, but there were some.” [Workshop 1, young person 9]
WhatsApp	Throughout the whole cancer timeline, from prediagnosis to the end of and beyond treatment	• To keep in touch with family and existing friends • A group chat for talking to and organizing social events with new friends met through the hospital	WhatsApp was praised for keeping up with existing friends and family and new friends. “Talking to my mum and my sister, especially on days when I’m not happy with the way I look. Especially when I lost my eyebrows, when I just feel poorly and I’m by myself, that is definitely a very big help.” [Workshop 2, young person 15] “There’s a WhatsApp group from the hospital here and I think they do monthly things, like this Friday we’re going for burgers.” [Workshop 4, young person 20]
YouTube	Throughout the whole cancer timeline, from prediagnosis to the end of and beyond treatment	• To watch videos related to cancer, such as patient stories or procedures • To look up strategies related to holistic well- being, such as makeup techniques or tying headscarves	“I used YouTube a lot… watched other people doing videos about their things… it’s nice to see people, like, living after cancer… It gives you a sense of joy, when you look at their life instead of yours… takes your mind off what is happening. It relaxes you a bit.” [Workshop 1, young person 10] “I would use YouTube to find out more about what was happening, because people would talk about their cancer and you could Google tests that you were having and just watch it on YouTube if you want to.” “I had to have a bronchoscopy, so I decided to watch one on YouTube before having it done.” [Workshop 1, young person 14]

Abbreviation: NHS, National Health Service.