Loading...
Background: Social media platforms are a versatile platform used for exchange of information. It is increasingly being used by patients, caregivers, and physicians to interact and engage among themselves and with healthcare organizations. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, with ~2.3 million cases in 2020 alone. Hence, it is vital to understand the perceptions about breast cancer from a wider lookout to bridge the gaps in patient management. The objective of this study was to understand the trends in social media conversations and current perceptions about breast cancer in the North African countries. Methods: Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies hosted by Brandwatch (a social analytics tool) were used to scan 100M websites to analyze publicly visible online conversations about cancer between November 1, 2018 and October 31, 2021. Conversations from 6 North African countries i.e. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara were analyzed in 3 languages (Arabic, English, and French). Conversations were filtered to isolate breast cancer and related mentions. To isolate the voice of breast cancer patients and their caregivers, manual review of all non-news content in which pronouns appeared within 7 words proximity of disease terms was carried out. Results: A total volume of 53,354 conversations (43,785 Arabic, 6,161 English, and 3,408 French) on breast cancer were analyzed. Breast cancer was the most discussed cancer type, contributing to 63% of Arabic, 61% of English, and 66% of French conversations among total cancer related conversations. Egypt led the volume of breast cancer related conversations in Arabic and English, followed by Sudan. Morocco led the volume of conversations in French, followed by Tunisia. For all 3 languages, the proportion of male authors dominated the volume of conversations as compared to female authors (60% of Arabic, 54% of English, and 56% of French). A total volume of 590 (347 Arabic, 158 English, and 85 French) conversations about breast cancer were identified as patient related. Twitter was the most popular platform for Arabic and English-speaking populations. The most discussed topic about breast cancer was identified to be ‘Pink October’ or ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’. Across all languages, impact on mental health and financial security was a significant patient concern. Many people reached out directly to the online community for financial support. In Arabic conversations, female patients expressed concern about impact on their relationship with their spouse (or future spouse) due to their condition. Patient conversations about the BReast CAncer gene (BRCA) were also observed. However, there is little evidence about the extent of awareness among patients or their caregivers. There were scarce mentions about male/transgender breast cancer among conversations. Discussions about raising awareness, early detection, and self-checking of breast cancer were also identified. Conclusion: Breast cancer was the most discussed type of cancer in North African countries. Patients and caregivers sought financial support on social media platforms. Based on types of conversations identified, it can be inferred that patients do not actively seek information about treatments and cancer management on social media. These insights can be utilized to engage patients, caregivers, patient advocacy groups, and influencers to address concerns and disseminate accurate and simplified information for mass consumption.
Read More
This case study shows how a global pharmaceutical company used large-scale social listening and digital ethnography to inform segmentation, positioning, and launch strategy for a new respiratory vaccine across multiple global markets. By analyzing millions of unprompted online conversations from patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, the program identified distinct risk and experience-based patient segments, clarified drivers of vaccine perception and readiness, and revealed both globally consistent themes and market-specific nuances. The insights enabled authentic positioning grounded in real-world concerns, supported tailored market education strategies, and became a critical foundation for global launch planning, reducing uncertainty while improving confidence in cross-market decision-making.
January 12, 2026
READ MORE
In 2021, methane-tracking satellites became the vanguard of a new era in climate accountability, transforming methane detection from a niche scientific pursuit into a global policy and communications priority. RILA Global Consulting’s analysis of media and social discourse from January to September 2021 reveals how space-based methane monitoring gained traction worldwide — driven by landmark satellite collaborations, breakthrough detection events, and the growing visibility of platforms like Kayrros Methane Watch and MethaneSAT. This surge in coverage reflects not only technological innovation but a cultural shift: measuring methane emissions is now inseparable from the pursuit of climate transparency, corporate credibility, and global environmental responsibility.
October 18, 2025
READ MORE
In today’s hyperconnected world, a single service outage can ignite a digital wildfire — reshaping public perception in minutes. RILA partnered with a leading global tech company to uncover how data-driven crisis intelligence can transform moments of disruption into opportunities for trust-building. Through real-time sentiment tracking, emotional analysis, and benchmarking of communication styles, RILA revealed that empathy, speed, and transparency are the cornerstones of digital-age reputation recovery. Their insights proved that when brands acknowledge issues swiftly, communicate with human authenticity, and visualize progress transparently, they don’t just repair reputations — they reinforce resilience and redefine digital trust.
October 17, 2025
READ MORE
As organizations redefine the future of work, understanding how employees feel about remote collaboration tools is becoming just as crucial as how well those tools perform. A global software company partnered with RILA to explore this intersection of technology and emotion, revealing that user satisfaction hinges less on advanced features and more on simplicity, clarity, and mental well-being. By analyzing digital sentiment across online forums, social media, and review platforms, RILA uncovered key drivers of satisfaction—ease of use and psychological balance—and exposed digital overload as a silent productivity killer. The insights now guide product design and communication strategies, helping companies build collaboration ecosystems that empower rather than exhaust hybrid workers.
October 17, 2025
READ MORE
In a world saturated with online threats and misinformation, RILA partnered with a global cybersecurity foundation to uncover how emotions and communication styles shape digital safety behavior. By analyzing conversations across 15 markets, RILA’s framework revealed that empowerment, storytelling, and gamified learning dramatically outperform fear-based messaging in driving awareness and action. The findings helped transform cybersecurity education from a compliance-driven chore into a movement centered on trust, engagement, and human empowerment — proving that the most powerful defense against cyber threats begins with how we communicate.
October 17, 2025
READ MORE
As competition in the streaming wars intensifies, understanding why consumers stay loyal—or switch—has become essential for media companies. In partnership with a leading global entertainment brand, RILA uncovered the behavioral and emotional drivers behind subscription choices through social listening, sentiment modeling, and competitive benchmarking. The study revealed that while content quality and originality remain the strongest retention forces, pricing pressures and perceived value shape cancellation behavior. Insights from millions of digital conversations led to a dynamic Streaming Loyalty Dashboard, enabling the client to refine pricing, strengthen engagement, and reduce churn by 14%—proving that true loyalty begins with listening to the audience.
October 17, 2025
READ MORE
As innovation races ahead, Big Tech faces a mounting challenge — sustaining public trust amid rising ethical scrutiny. RILA partnered with a global technology leader to map how AI ethics, data responsibility, and sustainability drive perceptions of trust and reputation. RILA analyzed global media and stakeholder conversations to reveal that issues like AI bias, data misuse, and environmental impact dominate public concern. The findings showed that transparency, authenticity, and acknowledgment of complexity matter more to stakeholders than polished corporate narratives. By translating these insights into actionable ESG storytelling, the client repositioned itself from a “fast innovator” to a leader in responsible innovation, strengthening credibility and trust across markets.
October 17, 2025
READ MORE
As 5G technology reshapes global communication, public perception has proven just as critical as performance. RILA partnered with a leading telecommunications provider to decode the emotional and cultural dimensions behind worldwide 5G conversations—revealing how trust, safety concerns, and misinformation influence adoption across markets. Through advanced social listening, sentiment mapping, and influencer analysis, the study uncovered clear patterns in how narratives spread and evolve. The resulting insights not only helped the client refine its messaging and outreach strategies but also provided a data-driven framework for building trust in emerging technologies—transforming 5G from a misunderstood risk into a story of innovation, transparency, and global connection.
October 17, 2025
READ MORE
In an age where cyber incidents dominate headlines, RILA partnered with a leading cybersecurity provider to decode how consumers emotionally respond to data breaches and how trust can be rebuilt. Through our Crisis & Cyber Sentiment Intelligence Framework, we mapped real-time emotions — from fear to reassurance — across millions of online conversations. The analysis revealed that speed, transparency, and empathy are critical in restoring confidence, while misinformation, often born in online forums, prolongs reputational harm. By transforming raw sentiment into actionable strategy, RILA helped its client not only rebuild trust but also pioneer a data-driven blueprint for digital reputation resilience in an era of constant cyber risk.
October 17, 2025
READ MORE