How to Find Cancer Information You Can Trust

Published on: February 13, 2026

When someone has cancer, it’s natural to want to learn all you can. Some people want answers right away. Others prefer to learn more slowly as they go through their cancer experience. For many people, cancer education begins online. According to one study, an estimated 70% of people in the United States use the internet to find health information. Cancer is one of the most searched topics.

Unfortunately, a lot of online cancer information is based on personal opinions and sales pitches instead of careful science. Knowing which sources include misinformation and which can be trusted can be challenging, especially if you aren’t a scientist or a health care professional.

“The internet and social media make it easy for both credible experts and unreliable sources to share information. Online discussions often lack important nuance, and social media algorithms tend to expose users to information that supports their beliefs. These factors make it easy for false or misleading information to flourish,” said Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, FASCO, an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert and the Head of Breast and Gynecologic Medical Oncology at Valley Health System in New Jersey.

As you find cancer information online, it helps to know how you can tell if a source is reliable and based on science.

Where to find credible cancer information

Learning how to recognize whether information is based on scientific evidence is key. Look for websites and other resources that tell you where their information came from. For example, reliable online sources will list research studies or guidelines where the information was found. If no source is given, the information may not be credible.

Peer-reviewed journals, major news outlets, government agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations are generally considered evidence-based, reliable sources. Many of these sources offer easy-to-understand health information for patients and caregivers.

How to spot good cancer information

To know whether the cancer information you’ve found is current, reliable, and relevant, ask these questions:

Who is sharing the information? Do they have the right credentials to make this claim?
What is the evidence? Does the story refer to clinical trials, other peer-reviewed research studies, or guidelines from a trusted organization? Can you follow a link to the evidence?
Was the research done using humans? A treatment that works in a lab or in animals doesn’t always work in people and may be harmful.
Does the information encourage you to stop or avoid standard treatment? Be wary of advice that tells you to go against your doctor’s recommendations. Have open and honest discussions with your doctor about the information you find.
Does the treatment make a meaningful difference in people? Even if a study shows a difference between an older treatment and a newer one, that difference might not matter much in real life. Or it may not be a good option for your specific type of cancer. Your cancer team can help you understand what the findings might mean for you.
Does the tone of the information seem fearful or urgent? Content that’s written in a way that scares you, rushes you into a decision, or raises distrust in your medical team is a red flag. The same goes for information that seems over the top or too good to be true.
Is someone trying to sell you a product? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees advertisements for medicines that have gone through clinical trials and their approval process. They ensure that the benefits and risks are presented accurately. But these rules don’t apply to unapproved medicines or treatments. As a result, claims about unproven treatments may be exaggerated. Approach these claims with extra caution.

The dangers of misinformation

Research shows that at least 1 in 3 social media posts about medical treatments include incorrect or even harmful information. A personal story or testimonial only reflects one person's experience. It dosn't always take scientific evidence into account. Posts, articles, and even some news stories that go viral may ignore key facts or details or may not list their sources. One study about cancer misinformation on social media found that false information was shared 28 times more often than accurate information.

“Misinformation can have real consequences. When online claims go against medical advice, it causes more anxiety and confusion. It also reduces people’s trust in clinicians,” said Dr. Teplinsky.

Misinformation could lead people to choose treatments that haven’t been thoroughly tested. All cancer treatments in the U.S. must be approved by the FDA before they are widely used in people with cancer. This means every new medicine must go through a strict research process. Clinical trials are studies of new medicines, treatments, and procedures tested on people. This testing helps ensure the treatment or procedure is safe and effective.

If a treatment is not FDA approved, the testing process is likely not known. Taking a cancer therapy that does not have FDA approval may have harmful effects. Unproven treatments may also interfere with recommended, evidence-based cancer treatment.

How does AI fit in?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has further transformed how we learn about our health. People can use AI to help make sense of complicated medical information. AI technology can also be useful for answering basic questions about symptoms, risks, and side effects. This information can help patients and caregivers prepare for a health care visit.

But AI also comes with several risks. Generative AI, or GenAI, is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content based on a question or prompt from a user. The content produced by GenAI may be inaccurate, outdated, or oversimplified, Dr. Teplinsky explained. While AI tools have some built-in protections to stop them from creating false health information, these protections don’t always work. GenAI can make up or repeat information that sounds true but actually isn’t. One scientific review found that without safeguards in place, AI systems produce false answers (also known as hallucinations) about half of the time and sometimes more often.

“Without expert oversight and proper context, AI can reinforce misinformation,” said Dr. Teplinsky. “AI should be seen as a supplement to trusted sources of cancer information, not as a replacement.”

Talk to your health care team

No matter what you find online, make sure to talk with your health care team before trying anything new.

“While online cancer-related information can be helpful, it’s not the same as personalized medical advice. No website or social media post can replace the doctor-patient relationship,” said Dr. Teplinsky. “I hope you feel empowered to ask questions, have open conversations, and work together with your medical team for your care.”

Learn more from the American Cancer Society:

Dr. Teplinsky is a member of ASCO’s Patient Information Advisory Committee.