Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Quinn EM;Corrigan MA;McHugh SM;Murphy D;O'Mullane J;Hill AD;Redmond HP;
2012
August
Breast
Breast cancer information on the internet: analysis of accessibility and accuracy.
Validated
Optional Fields
21
4
Studies show internet sourced information often has poor accuracy. However, it is rapidly becoming a major source of patient information. Our aim was to assess accuracy of breast cancer-related information on the internet. The top five breast cancer-related search terms were identified using the commercial program "Wordtracker". These terms were searched using the search-engine "Google" and the top 100 webpages per topic analysed for applicability and accuracy of information. Overall 500 webpages were analysed. 42% were inapplicable to the question asked. Applicable accuracy rates were variable amongst the five terms: "breast cancer symptoms" 84%, "breast cancer care" 87%, "breast cancer stage" 88%, "breast cancer survival" 91% and "breast cancer signs" 78%. Educational websites were more likely to be accurate(p < 0.001) and interest group administered websites less likely to be accurate(p = 0.018) than other websites. Finding accurate breast cancer information on the internet is difficult due to large numbers of inapplicable unregulated websites preferentially returned via search engines.
1532-3080
10.1016/j.breast.2012.01.020
Grant Details