Abstract
Background:
There are limited data available in the medical literature concerning the issue of the depth of information presented on cancer-related Internet-based dealing with disease management.
Methods:
To explore this question, websites identified on a popular search engine (Google) employing the search strategy, “treatment of cervix cancer,” were evaluated for their presentation of chemotherapy-related topics, including possible strategies supported by solid evidence-based data (e.g., concurrent chemotherapy plus radiation) and programs likely to have limited impact on the course of the illness (e.g., progression following a cisplatin-based chemoradiation regimen).
Results:
Of 66 websites identified, 92% mentioned chemotherapy as a possible treatment for cervix cancer. However, although 51% noted the option of chemoradiation, only 18% stated this approach had been shown to improve survival. Further, discussions of the specific toxicity of chemotherapy for cervix cancer were uncommon (12%), and mention of a management strategy that focuses exclusively on supportive and comfort care measures in the setting of progressive and platinum-resistant disease was rare (3%).
Conclusions:
Although generally technically accurate, the content of the information describing the role of chemotherapy within Internet sites dealing with cervix cancer is superficial and likely of limited educational value.