| Chapter
11 Quality of health information on the internet Overview The quality of health information on the Internet is extremely variable. On searching for, say, 'cancer' using the more general Internet search tools like AltaVista or Google (see Chapter 4), one can move seamlessly from authoritative sites like Cancernet http://www.nci.nih.gov and OncoLink http://cancer.med.upenn.edu, through to highly dubious ones such as the 'Cancer can now be cured' site. Run by Hulda Clark, an 'independent research scientist', visitors to this site are informed that: All cancers are alike. They are all caused by a parasite…and if you kill the parasite, the cancer stops immediately http://drclark.net/cancer/cause.htm. The site goes on to explain that these parasites can be removed - 'safely and without any side effects' - by a low-voltage device, known as a Syncrometer Zapper. Although it would be nice to believe that one of the biggest killers in the Western world could be defeated by a simple 'zap', there is, unfortunately, no evidence of any kind that this treatment has any effect on any form of cancer. Moreover, though in itself the Zapper will do little harm - independent tests reveal that it is little more than a galvanometer that measures skin resistance - there is a real danger that some patients will try this method before seeking appropriate care and treatment. This delay may be fatal. Misinformation of the kind perpetrated by Hulda Clark is not the only problem that besets the consumer. Web sites that are highly biased and only present one side of the argument are another concern, as is the ability to buy drugs and medical devices that may be unregulated, unproven and potentially dangerous. In this chapter we will provide examples of these types of sites, discuss what attempts are being made to regulate health information on the Internet and, most importantly, provide practical guidelines that will help you appraise the quality of the information you find. Key topics covered in this chapter Useful URL's discussed in this chapter |
| Web site | Description | Address |
| Cure or prevent cancer | This site provides an example of some of the more dubious claims that can be found on the Internet. |
http://www.1cure4cancer.com |
Slimming soap |
Example of a lifestyle scam! |
http://www.medex.co.uk/products/slimsoap.html |
Health on the Net |
The Health on the Net code is an attempt to "badge" medical Web sites that adhere to a defined code of conduct. |
http://www.hon.ch |
| DISCERN | Learn how to critically assess the information you find on the Internet. |
http://www.discern.org.uk |