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Over the past several years, the Internet has become an important resource
for information gathering. This exciting new technology has enormous potential
to inform and educate the public about health and medical care. However, the
Internet is also rife with incorrect, misleading and deceptive information that
may cause harm; cancer information on the Internet is of particular concern.
Benefits of cancer information on the internet
Because of the nature of breast and other types of cancer, most people don’t
know very much about cancer until they’re directly affected by it. If you have
been diagnosed with breast cancer, the Internet may be the initial way that you
research your condition. It can quickly and easily provide you with information
about cancer and its treatments.
Many reputable cancer-related health organizations, such as the American
Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) and the National Cancer Institute (www.nci.nih.gov),
have websites on the Internet. These sites provide reliable and impartial
information on topics including treatment, unique technology, experimental
trials, cancer screening programs and cancer support groups.
A website can also help you research available services and physician
qualifications, making it easier to decide on the right medical institution for
your care. Also, some websites provide services that allow you to directly
request information about your specific condition.
Cancer support groups on the Internet can provide information about
treatments, links to other informative websites, tips and hints for coping with
the disease or its treatments, and even "pen pals."
Risks of cancer information on the internet
Unfortunately, much of the information on the Internet also comes with
major, and potentially harmful, drawbacks. There is no quality control of the
health care information or advice provided online. This means that highly
respected health care organizations, well-intentioned but misinformed
individuals, and groups engaged in health care fraud might all look alike on a
computer screen. This leaves a relatively uninformed public alone to try to sort
through the information and determine fact from fiction.
Misinformation is information that is incorrect, meaning there is no
scientific evidence to back up a treatment claim. Much of the misinformation is
based on anecdotal evidence. An example of this is a treatment such as shark
cartilage.
Another result of the lack of quality control of health care content is
information that is true but leads to misleading conclusions. Such is the case
of a person who reads about a particular treatment on the Internet and, without
fully understanding all aspects of it, determines that this is the best
treatment for him or her. As a result, the person may insist on a treatment that
has no impact on the disease while possibly foregoing more effective treatment.
Tips for gathering cancer information on the internet:
- Look for sites that are affiliated with known organizations or
medical institutions.
- Use extreme caution when reviewing information. Look for facts,
not opinions. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Review the information with a health professional. What applies
to one person may not apply to you.
- Always let your doctor know if you are thinking of trying other
therapies. Some can be dangerous.
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