Breast cancer information on the internet: Analysis of accessibility and accuracy

Abstract

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. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.