Paging Dr. Google: Searching Your Cancer Diagnosis Online
After hearing the words, “You’ve got cancer,” many people are inclined to turn to the Internet for more information. This is human nature in the modern era we live in but can create a lot of unnecessary stress in a moment that is already incredibly stressful.
More information is not necessarily a bad thing but seeking out information online without filters or guidance on what makes the information good or bad can result in a patient already dealing with a new cancer diagnosis feeling negative and hopeless before even sitting down with their oncologist.
There are a few things every person who researches their new cancer diagnosis can do to locate accurate information to help make informed decisions while also preventing themselves from becoming confused and overloaded with wrong or too much information:
Know that statistics are averages, but every patient is unique and may differ from the average – your own cancer is not a statistic.
Stick to searching through only recognized and reputable health organization’s websites.
Look for dates on any article you read, as cancer treatments and outcomes evolve quickly and information can become obsolete.
Never search sites that are selling a service or product – that is not helping a patient learn about their own diagnosis.
Consider the source of the information you are finding – if there is the suggestion of a new breakthrough treatment, chances are your doctor would know about it already.
It is also crucial to always, always, always, tell your doctor and treatment team that you are seeking information about your diagnosis online and what you are learning. Patients should never feel ashamed for doing this, but it is important for doctors to know about the questions their patients are seeking answers for.
Srilatha Gundala, MD is the founder of Hope & Healing Cancer Centers in Hinsdale and Lombard, Illinois and understands why many of her patients do online searches about their cancer diagnosis, “It is a difficult thing to learn that you have cancer and the uncertainty in the beginning can be hard to tolerate. Patients want to know their fate without asking the person best able to help them. Instead, they seek answers online, which can be very misleading, confusing and overwhelming. I always want my patients to come to me with their questions and new knowledge they have found online so we can discuss together. That way, any misunderstanding or false information can be corrected quickly.”
There is a variety in the quality of information patients find online that can be attributed to a few different factors. Does the patient have an active or passive personality? Active personalities tend to reach out and make connections, while passive personalities might become too easily overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. What is the education level of the patient? How might the computer skills of the patient impact their searches? What type of cancer is being searched and at what stage is it? All these variables contribute to the information that is accessible and the patient’s experience of it.
Too much information from the wrong sources can increase a patient’s anxiety and have a negative impact on treatment. Online searches can take an emotional toll on a patient at a point where their ability to cope may be low. On the other hand, online searches can connect patients to others who have been through similar treatment protocols and know the landscape well. There is the possibility to connect to a virtual community that can provide support in dealing with side effects, provide tips and tricks to deal with treatment, and lend a kind ear when needed. Online research can also help a patient target questions for their next doctor visit, helping them feel more informed and in control.
A doctor knowing and acknowledging people are going to search the Internet is important, too. Rather than saying, “Whatever you do, don’t look online,” doctors are in a unique position to help their patients become better informed consumers of online research, which may even make for a better treatment outcome.
Written By: Sheila Quirke, MSW
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundala, MD
