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Quality of online information on breast cancer treatment options

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posted on 2023-06-09, 08:14 authored by Nadia Arif, Pietro Ghezzi
Offering breast cancer patients treatment choice has become a priority as the involvement of patients in the decision-making process is associated with improved physical and psychological outcomes. As the Internet is increasingly being used by patients as a source of medical information, it is important to evaluate the quality of information relating to breast cancer on the Internet. We analysed 200 websites returned by google.co.uk searching “breast cancer treatment options” in terms of their typology and treatment options described. These were related to standard measures of health information quality such as the JAMA score and the presence of quality certifications, as well as readability. We found that health portals were of higher quality whilst commercial and professional websites were of poorer quality in terms of JAMA criteria. Overall, readability was higher than previously reported for other conditions, and Google ranked websites with better readability higher. Most websites discussed surgical and medical treatments. Few websites, with a large proportion being of commercial typology, discussed complementary and alternative medicine. Google ranked professional websites low whilst websites from non-profit organizations were promoted in the ranking.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Breast

ISSN

0960-9776

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

37

Page range

6-12

Department affiliated with

  • Clinical and Experimental Medicine Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-10-10

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-10-15

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-10-10

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