Adapted from Federal Trade Commission consumer guidelines: www.ftc.gov
Some basic tips for using the Internet will provide you with the best and safest information:
• It is more helpful to read about your cancer after you have received a diagnosis from your doctor.
• Start with sites that are reputable and provide information using patient-friendly language.
• Ask your healthcare team for recommendations of reputable sites.
• Make note of terms or questions that arise so that you can get clarification from your healthcare team at your next visit.
• When you find an article or information on a website that you’d like to run by your healthcare team, print a copy or make note of where you found the article or piece of information.
• Always be sure to check in with your healthcare team before acting on any advice you find online. And, if it doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t.
Principles for Evaluating Website Reliability
Authoritativeness—indicates the qualifications of the authors.
Complementarity—Information should support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.
Privacy—Respect the privacy and confidentiality of personal data submitted to the site by the visitor.
Attribution—Cite the source(s) of published information and dating of medical and health pages.
Justifiability—Indicates the qualifications of the authors.
Transparency—Accessible presentation, identities of editor and webmaster, accurate e-mail contact.
Financial Disclosure—Identify funding sources.
Advertising Policy—Clearly distinguish advertising from editorial content.
From Health on the Net Foundation hon.ch/HONcode/Patients/Conduct.html
Friends & Family
We often hear from patients that once they were diagnosed with cancer it seems everyone they talk to has a cancer story to relate. Some of these stories are helpful and can be good sources of information and support. Others may be passing on information that is incorrect or sharing experiences that produce more anxiety and fear.
Consider the source:
• Do you know the person giving you the information?
• Are they trustworthy?
• Do they have a medical background with expertise in cancer care? Not all medical professionals know everything about all healthcare issues.
• Have they had cancer themselves or have been a caregiver for someone with cancer?
Remember, most often family and friends are speaking from their experiences, not their expertise. They may have good intentions, but it is fine to politely tell them that you’d prefer not to discuss issues related to cancer if you could use a break from the unsolicited advice.
At a Doctor’s Visit
Depending on which type of doctor or health team member you are seeing, you should expect to get information related to the part they will play in your care during cancer treatment. The surgeon and his/her team will discuss care, treatment, and what to expect from surgery. The radiation oncologist and his/her team will discuss care, treatment, and what to expect from radiation therapy. The medical oncologist and his/her team will discuss whether or not chemotherapy or other systemic treatment is needed.
What to Bring to Your Doctor’s Visit
