Instagram and Podcast Intervention for Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and remains a major public health concern. Early detection through screening is essential for reducing breast cancer-related morbidity and mortality. However, many women continue to experience barriers to screening participation, including limited awareness, insufficient knowledge, low perceived susceptibility, fear of diagnosis, and inadequate health beliefs regarding breast cancer and its screening methods.

Digital health interventions have emerged as accessible and cost-effective approaches for delivering health education and promoting preventive health behaviors. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, are widely used by young women and offer an effective channel for disseminating health-related information. Podcasts provide an additional narrative-based educational approach that may enhance engagement, improve information retention, and support behavior change through emotionally meaningful content.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an Instagram- and podcast-based intervention in improving breast cancer awareness, health beliefs, and screening behaviors among women aged 20-39 years. Participants in the intervention group will receive evidence-based educational content through Instagram posts and podcasts, while the control group will receive no intervention during the study period. Outcomes will include breast cancer awareness, health beliefs related to breast cancer screening, and screening behaviors such as breast self-examination practices.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of combined social media and podcast-based interventions as scalable, low-cost strategies for promoting breast cancer awareness and encouraging preventive screening behaviors among women.

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 20-39 years
• Able to read and write Turkish
• Turkish citizens
• Have an active Instagram account and access it at least once daily
• No previous diagnosis of cancer
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• No access to a smartphone with the Instagram application
• Visual, hearing, or cognitive impairment that may prevent participation in the intervention

Withdrawal Criteria:

• Failure to complete the assigned podcast sessions during the intervention period
• Participant request to withdraw from the study at any time