UW College of Health Sciences Faculty and Student Research Explores Cancer Ghosting

A University of Wyoming associate professor with the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing recently presented research focused on a newly understood phenomenon affecting cancer patients’ experiences for the Association for Netnographic Research (ANR).

Jennifer Stephens presented her research, titled “Using Netnography in Nursing Research: The Example of Cancer Ghosting,” to the ANR, a registered nonprofit corporation dedicated to advancing netnographic research globally.

Principles of netnography research methods include immersion over extraction, context sensitivity, reflexivity and digital ethics.

According to Stephens’ research, cancer ghosting is the sudden and deliberate ending of a relationship with someone who is diagnosed with cancer. Objectives presented by Stephens during her presentation included illuminating the phenomenon; exploring the qualitative method of netnography and why it suited this healthcare-related project; briefly describing the cancer ghosting study; discussing knowledge translation; and speaking to barriers and successes.

Contributors to the project included Carlos Garcia, of Wheatland, a first-year student with the Wyoming WWAMI Medical Education Program, and Jenifer Thomas, a professor with the nursing school and co-investigator on the project.

Stephens is enthusiastic about the oncology community’s response to the netnographic study that provided the first definition of cancer ghosting.

“Up until our presentation at the Oncology Nursing Society Congress in 2025, oncology nurses and providers were only marginally aware of this phenomenon,” Stephens says. “Our study has helped give a voice to those who have been ghosted and has increased awareness of ghosting in the cancer healthcare provider community.”

Cancer ghosting can take the form of actual social cutoff by friends and family in person or on social media platforms. While different levels of this type of ghosting can occur -- either resulting from a person’s awkwardness in dealing with an acquaintance having been diagnosed with cancer or a complete termination of a relationship -- the effects on the patient can be devastating.

“Patients with cancer often represent a uniquely vulnerable and medically complex population,” Garcia says. “This project stands out because of both its technical approach and its focus on improving patient-centered outcomes. Participating in this research has provided valuable insight into some of the most challenging experiences these patients face, and I hope it contributes to continued progress in destigmatizing their struggles.”

Stephens’ research has two clear goals: to generate foundational knowledge about cancer patients’ experiences being ghosted and to recommend interventions by oncology providers that could specifically address cancer ghosting as a phenomenon affecting emotional, physical and mental health.

“This research reflects the important role our faculty and students play in addressing complex and often overlooked challenges affecting patient well-being,” says Patrick Hardigan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “Dr. Stephens and her collaborators are advancing understanding of the emotional and social dimensions of cancer care through innovative research that gives voice to patient experiences and helps inform more compassionate healthcare practices. We are proud to see this work gaining national attention and contributing to meaningful conversations within oncology and nursing.”

Stephens’ research clearly points to the netnographic research method as useful for nursing research and patient experience studies involving cancer ghosting.

Stephens’ research is funded by the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Humenick Grant. The research is in phase two of qualitative interviewing with participants and is using critical incident theory.