scholarly journals ‘Prostate Cancer' Information on the Internet: Fact or Fiction?

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Moolla ◽  
Ahmed Adam ◽  
Marlon Perera ◽  
Nathan Lawrentschuk
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Website Content

Background/Aims: In today's information era, patients often seek information regarding health using the internet. We assessed reliability and validity of internet information regarding ‘prostate cancer'. Methods: Search term ‘prostate cancer' used on Google website (June 2017). Critical analysis was performed on first 100 hits using JAMA benchmarks, DISCERN score, Health on the Net. Results: 33 500 000 hits returned. Top 100 hits were critically analyzed. Ten links [duplicate links (n = 7), book reviews (n = 1), dead sites (n = 2)] were excluded, therefore 90 were analyzed. Subcategories assessed included: commercial (53.33%), university/medical center (24.44%), government (13.33%); non-governmental/ non-profit organizations (8.89%). Sub-type of information content assessed included: factual (74.44%), clinical trials (18.89%); stories (5.56%); question and answer (1.11%). Website rated as HONcode seal positive (14,44%) or seal negative (85,56%). Website content based on JAMA benchmarks: 0 benchmarks (4.44%), 1 benchmark (16.67%), 2 benchmarks (34.44%), 3 benchmarks (27.78%), 4 benchmarks (16.67%). DISCERN score rated: ‘low' score (16-32) = 12 websites (13.33%), ‘moderate' score (33-64 points) = 68 websites (75.56%), ‘high' score (≥ 65 points) = 10 websites (11.11%). Conclusion: Critical assessment of ‘Prostate Cancer' information on the internet, showed that overall quality was observed to be accurate, however majority of individual websites are unreliable as a source of information by itself for patients. Doctors and patients need to be aware of this ‘quality vs quantity' discrepancy when sourcing PCa information on the internet.

Use of the Internet to Obtain Cancer Information Among Cancer Patients at an Urban County Hospital

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (22) ◽  
pp. 4954-4962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Helft ◽  
Rachael E. Eckles ◽  
Cynthia Stair Johnson-Calley ◽  
Christopher K. Daugherty
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
County Hospital ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Barriers To Use

Purpose To evaluate rates, predictors, and barriers to use of the Internet to obtain cancer information among a cohort of cancer patients at an urban county hospital. Patients and Methods Of 208 cancer patients approached, 200 patients completed a structured interview study examining Internet use, perceptions of the accuracy of Internet information, and barriers to use. Results Only 10% of participants reported using the Internet themselves to obtain cancer information. Another 21% reported exposure to Internet information through proxies. The most common barrier to Internet use cited was lack of Internet access, with 44% reporting that they would use the Internet to obtain cancer information if they had Internet access. Younger age and more years of formal education were significantly associated with Internet use, although race and income were not. Less education, African American race, and female sex were associated with lower estimates of the accuracy of Internet information. Fewer years of formal education was associated with increased likelihood of reporting confusion after reading Internet information. Conclusion Very few cancer patients in this study of a cohort of generally disadvantaged individuals used the Internet themselves to obtain cancer information, although many more desired to do so. Significant opportunities for Web-based interventions aimed at improving cancer care outcomes in this population of cancer patients exist. However, further study will be needed to determine how to make such intervention accessible, trustworthy, and understandable to the disadvantaged.

Cancer patients’ use of the internet for cancer information and support

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily B. Peterson ◽  
Megan J. Shen ◽  
Jennifer Gueguen Weber ◽  
Carma L. Bylund
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Harmful Effect ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Power Shift ◽  
Internet Information

The rise of the internet has dramatically changed the way that patients seek cancer-related information, as well as how they discuss these topics with their healthcare providers. Patients’ increased access to web-acquired information has created a power shift in clinician–patient communication, which may either have a beneficial effect on the relationship (e.g. when patients engage in better shared decision-making) or a harmful effect (e.g. when patients directly challenge their provider’s opinions). This chapter first explores how patients utilize the internet both to acquire cancer-related health information and to seek social support through online forums and support groups. The chapter then draws from facework theories to better understand how clinicians and patients introduce, discuss, and evaluate internet information. The chapter concludes with suggested guidelines and exemplary statements to improve clinician–patient communication about health information found on the internet.

scholarly journals Health-Related Internet Use Among Men With Prostate Cancer in Canada: Cancer Registry Survey Study

10.2196/14241 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. e14241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline L Bender ◽  
Deb Feldman-Stewart ◽  
Christine Tong ◽  
Karen Lee ◽  
Michael Brundage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Broadband Internet ◽  
Health Decisions ◽  
Health Related

Background After a prostate cancer diagnosis, men want information about their disease and treatment options. The internet offers a convenient means to deliver health information to patients with prostate cancer. However, there are concerns about the use of the internet among this largely senior population. Objective This study aimed to determine the patterns and factors associated with the use of the internet as a source of health information among Canadian men with prostate cancer and the features and information required in a website. Methods Population surveys were conducted in four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario) in 2014-2015. Data analyses included descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable analyses. The Pearson Chi-square and univariable regression were used to examine associations between independent variables and health-related internet use. Correlates of health-related internet use were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results A total of 1362 patients responded across the four provinces. The mean age of respondents was 69 years (SD 8.2). In addition, 82% (n=1071) were internet users and 71% (n=910) used the internet daily. Further, 65% (n=784) used the internet as a source of prostate cancer information, and 40% (n=521) were confident about using information obtained from the internet to make health decisions. Men who used the internet to obtain prostate cancer information were more likely to be active information seekers (odds ratio [OR]: 4.5, 95% CI 2.6-7.8), be confident using information from the internet to make health decisions (OR: 3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.7), have broadband internet access (OR: 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7), and have more unmet supportive care needs (OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.0-1.1). Top features wanted in a website, reported by more than 50% of respondents, were a library of resources (n=893, 65.6%), tools to support treatment decision making (n=815, 59.8%), and tools to help navigate the prostate cancer journey (n=698, 51.2%). Top three topics of information wanted in such a website were treatment options (n=916, 67.3%), disease progression (n=904, 66.4%), and management of side effects (n=858, 63%). Conclusions Over two-thirds of Canadian patients with prostate cancer surveyed use the internet as a source of health information about prostate cancer, but over half did not feel confident using information from the internet to make health decisions. Being an active information seeker, having confidence in using information from the internet to make health decisions, having broadband internet, and having more unmet supportive care needs were significantly associated with health-related internet use. Future work should examine electronic health literacy interventions as a means to boost men’s confidence in using information from the internet and design websites that include information and features that help men navigate the prostate cancer journey and support treatment decision making and management of side effects.

Quality of internet information according to language search on childhood Cancer (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunam Cuan-Baltazar ◽  
Maria José Muñóz-Pérez ◽  
Elena Soto Vega
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Pediatric Cancer ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Chi2 Test

BACKGROUND Background: Health information on the internet could vary its quality given that nowadays it is easy for everyone to spread information on the internet even if it is not reliable. Also, one factor that could influence the quality of the information is the language in which it is presented. Parents of children with cancer tend to search for their children´s disease on the internet, and this could affect the decisions the parents take concerning their children´s treatment OBJECTIVE Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of pediatric cancer information on the internet provided in English and Spanish languages METHODS Methods: Three different quality engines were used, JAMA benchmarks, DISCERN and HONcode to assess English and Spanish websites. RESULTS Results: : DISCERN scores were significantly different between English and Spanish websites (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.001), JAMA benchmarks show a difference between English and Spanish websites (Chi2 test, p=0.009), but HONcode was no different between groups. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: English websites had a better information quality than Spanish websites.

American Oncologists’ Views of Internet Use by Cancer Patients: A Mail Survey of American Society of Clinical Oncology Members

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 942-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Helft ◽  
Fay Hlubocky ◽  
Christopher K. Daugherty
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Oncology ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Clinical Encounter ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Systematic Sample ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
American Society

Purpose: Americans are turning more and more frequently to the Internet to obtain health information. The specific effects on patients, doctors, and the clinical encounter are not well known. Methods: A brief mail survey was sent to a systematic sample of 5% of medical oncologists and hematologist/oncologists listed in the membership directory of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Results: Response rate to this mail survey was 46.2%. Oncologists’ median estimate of the proportion of their patients using the Internet to obtain cancer information was 30%. Subjects responded that, on average, 10 minutes were added to each patient encounter in which Internet information was discussed. Responding oncologists reported that use of the Internet had the ability to simultaneously make patients more hopeful, confused, anxious, and knowledgeable. Forty-four percent of responding oncologists reported that they sometimes or rarely had difficulty discussing Internet information, and only 9% of subjects reported that they sometimes or always felt threatened when patients brought Internet information to discuss. In narrative responses, oncologists reported both positive and negative effects of Internet use by patients. Conclusion: In this brief mail survey to a systematic sample of American oncologists in academic and community practice, respondents reported that a significant proportion of their patients use the Internet to obtain cancer information. Oncologists viewed Internet information as having both positive and negative effects on the clinical encounter. Further research is needed on the effects of patients’ use of the Internet to obtain cancer information involving both patients and oncologists.

Why do private non-profit organizations provide information on the Internet?

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Van Hulle ◽  
Nico Dewaelheyns
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
Non Profit Organizations

Purpose – The aim of this study is to show the provision of research measures information on the Internet by private non-profit organizations (NPOs) and provide insight on underlying drivers. Design/methodology/approach – This research involves scoring websites of Belgian NPOs on the basis of their information dissemination and applies univariate and multivariate statistical methods to analyze the driving forces. It also provides two illustrating case studies. Findings – The drivers of Internet information provision in our sample organizations show many similarities to those found for for-profit corporations. However, contrary to the latter, NPOs include little financial information and focus on their goals. Furthermore, in line with the notion that insiders-workers may capture the organization, we find that the degree of professionalization has a significantly negative impact on disclosure. Overall, outside pressures as predicted by neo-institutional theory and agency issues are important in shaping communication of information. In fact, the two cases indicate that the pressures, as predicted by neo-institutional theory, may easily lead NPOs to cater to key stakeholders in much the same way as for-profit corporations cater to customers. Research limitations/implications – The results are indicative of general forces driving NPO behaviour. Of interest would be a more in-depth analysis to link the prevalence of certain forces to specific governance models and to contextual factors. Practical implications – These findings may give users/visitors of websites better insight into the forces shaping information communication policies of an NPO. Originality/value – This paper adds to the scant evidence on Internet information provision by private non-profit organizations and its drivers. As such, it offers an opportunity to study the forces that are likely shaping decision-making within NPOs.

Prostate Cancer on the Internet—Information or Misinformation?

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (5) ◽  
pp. 1836-1842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Black ◽  
David F. Penson
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Information

scholarly journals The quality of internet information on depression for lay people

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 170-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Ferreira-Lay ◽  
Steve Miller
Keyword(s):  
The Internet ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Quality Information ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Internet Information ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Website Content ◽  
Complex Scale

Aims and MethodTo examine the quality of information concerning depression available on the internet, identify factors associated with ‘good’ quality, and develop a simple-to-use instrument for assessing websites on depression. The Depression-Website Content Checklist was developed and compared with a previously validated, yet too complex, scale. Websites were assessed using both instruments.ResultsGood quality information is more likely to be found on websites provided by governmental, professional and charitable organisations. The differences we observed in the median scores for these websites using the Depression-Website Content Checklist are significant at the 0.05 level (Ctot; Mann–Whitney, U=24.00; P=0.013). The Depression-Website Content Checklist is a valid and reliable user-friendly tool.Clinical ImplicationsPatients can be directed towards better quality information by diverting them to public and non-sponsored websites. Clinicians can use the Depression-Website Content Checklist to determine website quality.

scholarly journals Quality of Health Information on the Internet for Prostate Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwayne T. S. Chang ◽  
Robert Abouassaly ◽  
Nathan Lawrentschuk
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Government ◽  
Google Search

Introduction. To compare (1) the quality of prostate cancer health information on the Internet, (2) the difference in quality between websites appearing earlier or later in the search, and (3) the sources of sponsorship for each of these websites. Materials and methods. The top 150 listed websites on the Google search engine for each of the 11 search terms related to prostate cancer were analysed. Quality was assessed on whether the website conforms to the principles of the Health On the Net Foundation. Each of these websites was then reviewed to determine the main source of sponsorship. Statistical analysis was performed to determine if the proportion of HON accreditation varied among the different cohorts of listed websites and among the 11 search terms used. Results. In total, 1650 websites were analysed. Among these, 10.5% websites were HON-accredited. The proportion of HON-accredited websites for individual search terms ranged from 3.3% to 19.3%. In comparison with the search term of “Prostate cancer,” four search terms had statistically significant odds ratio of the rate of HON accreditation. Websites 51–150 were statistically less likely to have HON accreditation than websites 1–50. The top three website sponsors were journal/universities (28.8%), commercial (28.1%), and physician/surgeon (26.9%). Conclusions. The lack of validated and unbiased websites for prostate cancer is concerning especially with increasing use of the Internet for health information. Websites sponsored or managed by the government and national departments were most likely to provide impartial health information for prostate cancer. We need to help our patients identify valid and unbiased online health resources.

Personalized cancer tests and services on the Internet: A website content analysis.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1553-1553
Author(s):  
Stacy W. Gray ◽  
Katherine A. Janeway ◽  
Jane C. Weeks
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Interpretive Services ◽  
Personalized Cancer ◽  
Website Content

1553 Background: The Internet may facilitate the use of guideline endorsed “personalized” cancer tests and services by increasing awareness of and access to new technologies; however limited regulation over Internet marketing may also lead to the promotion of tests and services of unproven benefit. Methods: We identified 51 websites that sell personalized cancer medicine (PCM) tests and/or services by searching Google, Bing, and Yahoo (53 search terms per site, 30 results per search term), reviewing the medical literature, and abstracting information from the exhibitor list from a national oncology conference. Two independent coders evaluated website content. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results: Sites most commonly promoted physicians/institutions selling PCM (49%), tumor analysis (47%, e.g., DNA, RNA, or protein analysis) or offered interpretive services (12%, e.g., cloud-based analytical systems to select personalized cancer therapies). Eighty-six percent of sites included information on the benefits of PCM whereas only 24% of the sites included information on the limitations of PCM (McNemar’s chi square =32, p<0.001). Forty-three percent of sites included general cost information; of those sites, 23% provided an exact dollar figure and 24% included information on insurance reimbursement. Commercial sites were more likely to include cost information than educational and organizational sites (56% vs. 23%, chi square = 4.1, p=0.04). Cancer-related germline testing was offered by 27% of sites. Websites marketed guideline endorsed tests such as EGFR and KRAS mutation testing as well as tests that are not guideline endorsed such as in vitro and in-vivo (mouse) chemotherapy sensitivity testing, EMSY, ZNF703, and whole-exome sequencing. Conclusions: The clinical utility of “personalized” cancer tests and services marketed and sold over the Internet is highly variable. Patients and physicians need to evaluate PCM Internet sites with caution given the fact that benefit information is more common than limitation information and that unproven technologies are commonly promoted.

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