The use of social media interventions for breast cancer survivors: a narrative review.

[PURPOSE] Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, and breast cancer survivors face ongoing challenges related to physical, psychological, and social well-being. Social media-based interventions have emerged as potential tools for knowledge dissemination, emotional support, and health management, yet their effectiveness remains under-researched. This review identifies gaps in the current literature and offers recommendations to guide future research and improve social media use in survivorship care.

[METHODS] A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify studies published from database inception through March 2025 that examined the use of social media interventions. Studies were categorized into key themes: knowledge acquisition, social support, psychological health, and physical health outcomes.

[RESULTS] Breast cancer survivors may use social media interventions for knowledge acquisition, allowing them to exchange information, engage in peer support, and access expert resources. While these platforms improve understanding of treatment-related concerns, challenges such as misinformation and information overload remain. Social media interventions offer emotional support, fostering peer connections and reducing isolation, often through hashtags that allow individuals to connect, share experiences, and seek emotional support, and allow for anonymous self-expression. However, the emotional amplification of shared suffering may heighten distress. For psychological health, mixed findings suggest that social media has no effect or, in some cases, a negative impact on anxiety and depression experienced by breast cancer survivors. Social media interventions promoting physical activity promise to improve exercise adherence and health outcomes, though long-term effects remain unclear.

[CONCLUSION] Social media interventions have the potential to improve knowledge acquisition and support for breast cancer survivors. Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials to better understand the impact of social media interventions on social support and well-being.