If you, your child, or another loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, seeking information online may be your natural first instinct. However, with the vast amount of content online, it becomes necessary to differentiate between credible and unreliable sources.
Here are 4 tips on how to find authentic and reliable cancer information:
1 . Consult with your healthcare professionals
Consider your healthcare team (primary doctors, nurses, oncologists, or other specialists) as your primary cancer information sources. They are the experts and can provide the most up-to-date research. Ask questions to help clarify or confirm possible wrong information you've read or heard.
You may also seek a second opinion from another oncologist to confirm your diagnosis and best treatment plan. This confirmation may help you build a trusting relationship with your cancer team.
2 . Check information from reputable organizations and websitesÂ
The internet is an easy and frequently used way of searching for medical information. Search for reputable organizations and websites. They provide evidence-based information, and experts in the field often write the content.
While poring over Google search results and websites, take a moment to check who funds them. Some websites are biased and produce content to promote a product or service for profit rather than maintain journalistic ethics.
The most well-trusted websites are those run by the government and ending in ".gov" or by higher educational institutions and ending in ".edu." Those ending with ".com" or ".org" might also be dependable websites but should be vetted first.Â
Some of the top organization's websites for cancer information are:
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3 . Consider the author's and editor's credentials
When reading online articles, blogs, or peer-reviewed medical journals, pay close attention to the author and editor's credentials. Information written by experts such as oncologists or researchers is generally more reliable than cancer information written by non-experts. Anyone can claim to be a medical expert or say they have a proven all-natural cure, but those claims are simply not valid.
Some websites link the author to their professional or employer's website, which provides more information about them, including a bio detailing their credentials and experience.
Also, pay attention to the publication date and use the most recent data when possible.
4 . Social mediaÂ
Social media is a popular tool for communication. However, you must be careful when consuming information from social sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Some content may contain misinformation promoting unproven or "miracle treatments." Consider applying the above tips to authenticate what you read and view on these socials.
According to a study by NYU School of Medicine, "A substantial proportion of the content on YouTube was potentially biased and misinformative…Those videos got more views and thumbs-ups than videos containing accurate information."
While misinformation on social media is commonly broadcasted and shared, many trusted organizations and healthcare professionals have social sites with accurate information.
Despite misinformation overload, social media can be a powerful tool for creating community and connecting people with similar conditions while supporting each other through virtual support groups.
Final Thoughts
The internet can be an excellent tool for finding cancer information. However, you should be aware that not everything healthcare-related you read or videos you watch is accurate. You can get up-to-date and reliable cancer information by following the above tips.Â
Remember, your healthcare professionals are your principal source of guidance, and they can help you interpret or validate any information you receive about cancer.
The NIH has a Cancer Information Service that you can contact via phone, chat, or email to help answer your cancer-related questions, "whether you are a patient, family member, or friend."
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