Evaluation of Breast Cancer Videos on Youtube in the Arab World 

Abstract BackgroundPatients are increasingly using YouTube™ as a source of information on Breast cancer, the most frequent cancer among women. Educating patients is highly important to reduce mortality rates. This study aims to evaluate, for the first time, Breast Cancer Videos on YouTube™ in the Arab world that hosts their highest use.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, the most viewed 60 videos were evaluated for global quality (GQS score), reliability (modified DISCERN score), usefulness (content-specific score), and misleading claims. Videos’ power index, popularity, duration, and viewers' interaction were assessed. Sources (professional/ non-professional) and speakers (physician/ non-physician) were categorized.ResultsThe median Global Quality (3/5), Reliability (2/5), and Usefulness scores (4/11) were overall low. Out of all videos, the speaker was a physician in 32% and misleading information was found in 42%. Although professional source videos (45%) were less viewed, they were less misleading, of higher quality, reliability, and usefulness than non-professional source videos (55%). Source categories did not affect viewers' interaction, video power index, nor duration. While Symptoms (55%) were discussed the most, genetic counseling (13%) and prevention (20%) were scarcely mentioned; professionals were more likely to highlight early diagnosis importance. ConclusionsYouTube™ is poorly informational on breast cancer and may be inaccurate in the Arab world where highly used. Although professional uploaders’ videos tend to be more adequate, they are of lower quantity and popularity. Governments and physicians should upload more intelligibly informational videos, guide the public for accurate sources, and encourage regulations.