The Internet is quickly becoming one of the most common and easily available methods of obtaining information, including information about health. Even if a woman does not own a computer, she often has access to the Internet either through work or the public library in her community. Hundreds of individuals and organizations provide information about breast cancer for women over the Internet, some of which is accurate and useful and some of which is not. Once a woman discovers the literally thousands of web pages available on the subject of breast cancer, three questions quickly arise. (1) Which sites provide the best or most accurate information about breast cancer, including information on risk, diagnosis and treatment, and the biology of the disease? (2) Which sites provide the most easily understood information? In other words, which sites provide information that can be understood by a lay audience rather than a scientific or medical audience and which sites are written for women with lower literacy skills? (3) Which sites are the most easily navigated? This paper preliminarily addresses these three questions by evaluating the twenty-five web sites that are first listed under a search for breast cancer on the yahoo search engine, a common search engine used throughout the country. In addition, suggestions are made for further study of other web sites on the topic.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants should be able to: 1) Identify the major Internet sites available to breast cancer patients. 2) Evaluate the major Internet sites for breast cancer in terms of content, readability, and ease of navigation. 3) Recommend the best Internet sites to women with breast cancer or others wishing to learn about breast cancer.
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Internet
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.