Teixeira: When using internet for cancer info, don’t go it alone

Internet searches for cancer information can leave you stressed, on top of the anxiety that is so common for anyone affected by cancer. Interpreting the statistics and the massive amount of information about the many forms of cancer is daunting and best left to someone with expertise.”

Janet Teixeira is a licensed clinical social worker and the executive director of Cancer Care Connection, a legal affiliate of JFS Delaware. The free phone-based program has assisted people affected by cancer for over 20 years.

At Cancer Care Connection, we often advise our callers to ask for help; don’t try to go it alone when you’re affected by cancer. So much about cancer can be stressful.

Our oncology social workers encourage people affected by cancer to reach out for help. Maybe you’re hearing friends and loved ones say, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” Take them up on this offer.

Before plunging into an internet search for cancer information, consider asking for help from one of our oncology social workers with Cancer Care Connection (302-266-8050).

Internet searches for cancer information can leave you stressed, on top of the anxiety that is so common for anyone affected by cancer. Interpreting the statistics and the massive amount of information about the many forms of cancer is daunting and best left to someone with expertise.

In addition, though cancer affects many people, each person’s experience is unique. Personal health history needs to be taken into account. For example: What’s your family history of cancer? Are you affected by other diseases? How early was your cancer detected? Are you experiencing cancer for the first time or is it a recurrence?

The internet does not make these types of distinctions when providing search results. Someone diagnosed with an early-stage cancer and no other risk factors has different informational needs than someone who has a late-stage cancer and multiple risk factors.

Another significant consideration is to determine what search results come from a reliable, trustworthy and legitimate source.

Our oncology social workers are experts at vetting sources of information. For example, cancer-related sites that end in “.org” most likely represent nonprofit organizations, whose goals are to educate and support people affected by cancer. Those that end in “.gov” also deserve your attention, particularly any of the National Institutes of Health sources.

By contrast, sites that end in “.com,” while they can be perfectly legitimate, may be selling products or services. If you find something that interests you from a .com site, a trusted guide can help you determine the legitimacy of the organization. You’ll want to have a second opinion from someone you know and trust, perhaps a member of your medical team or that trusted, savvy friend or one of our oncology social workers.

Cancer Care Connection conducts internet searches with or for our callers on a regular basis. Our role is to share information, vet and customize internet search results and provide perspectives on statistical interpretation.

The internet is a magnificent source of information, if you know how to get to the right place. We can help you do that, while making sure you are accessing the search results that are specific to your situation from reliable sources.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.