As more and more people base their health decisions on information they have found on the Internet, the American Cancer Society urges Web users to be careful about the online resources on which they depend.

"While there are many informative sites about cancer on the Internet, there is also a good deal of unsubstantiated or outdated information online," said Ted Gansler, M.D., director of health content for the American Cancer Society. "It is tragic to see patients' survival or quality of life compromised by ill-informed decisions based on mis-information that they have gotten off of the Internet."

Gansler and the American Cancer Society advise the public to stick with Web sites from reputable, well-established organizations. These organizations are in touch with the research community and make it a priority to provide comprehensive, credible information to the public. Gansler also cautions users to be especially wary of sites that may have more than an altruistic stake in people visiting their sites. If a site is ultimately trying to sell a product, their information may be geared toward making a case for their goods. Sites provided by cancer patients often provide valuable support to those undergoing treatment, and some also provide very accurate information. But they should also be viewed with caution.

"Everyone's experience with cancer is different," Gansler explains. "For example, a Web site might focus on one person's problems with an uncommon side effect of a particular treatment. That information, although provided with good intentions, might dissuade others from taking advantage of a treatment that offers their best chance for a cure."

The American Cancer Society and Gansler advise that any information gathered from the Internet should be shared and validated by a trusted health care provider or information source such as the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society considers its Web site (www.cancer.org) an important extension of the Society's mission to provide lifesaving information to the public. The site has been recently expanded to include an interactive online cancer resource center, containing in-depth information on every major cancer type. The center offers listings of American Cancer free publications, access to recent news articles, as well as on- and off-line resources relating to each cancer type.

"There are so many different ways to find information. Five years ago when I was diagnosed, it took weeks to gather all of the information I needed," said Amy Swygert, director of national communications for the American Cancer Society and Hodgkins disease survivor. "Today, the American Cancer Society's Web site brings all the information – news, research, books – all together in one place. It's a great first stop on the Internet as it leads you to other reputable sites online."

The cancer information on the Society's Web site is written and reviewed by a team of health and medical practitioners. A literary professional translates medical terminology into common language to ensure that the information can be easily understood by the more than 150,000 visitors to its site per month.

Other useful sections of the Society's site include a Patient and Family Information section geared toward helping those living with cancer cope with the physical, social and psychological effects of the disease. The site's online news magazine, updated daily, offers perspective on recent cancer issues and health news. Also through the site, users can access information on community programs, events and resources through sites dedicated to local American Cancer Society offices.

The Web site is just one communication means the American Cancer Society uses to provide health information to people affected by cancer. The American Cancer Society's cancer information and resource service is the only national cancer help line that can offer both general information and local cancer resources to callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The help line, 1-800-ACS-2345, offers patients and caretakers another place to turn for help in understanding the challenges ahead, but with the added comfort of a spoken voice from a specially trained cancer information specialist. The Society also offers a variety of published materials including Informed Decisions, the complete book on cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org



Amy Swygert

American Cancer Society
404-329-7544
aswygert@cancer.org