Finding good cancer websites can be a challenge, but our tips and tricks will get you unbiased, fact-based information about colon cancer.
What's in a (Good Website) Name?
As you seek out information on colon cancer, you'll want to rely on good quality websites that offer reputable resources and information. Websites that end in ".gov" (dot gov), ".edu" (dot edu), and ".org" (dot org) can provide good quality, unbiased information.
What is a Dot Org?
Websites that end in dot org generally are created by organizations that don't have a specific commercial purpose. These organizations typically are not businesses in the traditional sense of the word. Many dot org websites are affiliated with non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, or both.
For example, the website for the Colon Cancer Foundation is a dot org. This website is affiliated with a group that was founded by friends and family of Susan Cohan, a woman who died of colon cancer.
The Colon Cancer Foundations's goal is to dramatically reduce deaths due to colon cancer. They promote colon cancer awareness and screening and raise funds to support colon cancer prevention and research efforts.
The American Cancer Society is another example of a dot org. It's also an example of a good cancer website.
Dot org websites such as the American Cancer Society and the Colon Cancer Foundation are designed to educate others as a primary goal. This type of website typically provides good quality information.
What is a Dot Gov?
Websites that end in dot gov are affiliated with the government of a country. In the US, there are many dot gov websites that provide health information. Examples include the websites of the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.
Dot gov health websites provide very reliable, good quality health information. In fact, a recent study found that dot gov websites are the only type that provide correct health information 100% of the time. Government-sponsored health websites typically are based completely on available research, which is why the information is of high quality.
What is a Dot Edu?
Websites that end in dot edu are affiliated with educational institutions, such as colleges and universities. If they address the topic of cancer, dot edu websites are likely to be good cancer websites.
Not all dot edu websites will address cancer. However, the ones that do often are reporting on research at their institutions. Or they may be describing cancer treatment procedures that are offered at a university-affiliated hospital. In these cases, the information is very likely to be accurate.
What is a Dot Com?
The "com" in dot com websites stands for commercial. This means these websites are usually associated with a business. Websites that end in dot com, such as About.com, also can provide excellent information. However, many ".com" websites are designed to serve a specific purpose, and it may not be to provide good information.
About.com is all about information. But many websites have motives other than information. As an example, some ".com" websites may be selling a product or promoting a book. While this in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, it is important that you are aware of it. You can view the information knowing whether it has a particular "agenda" or focus.
If a dot com is designed with the goal of selling a product, you should assume that much or even all of the information is designed specifically to sell that product. The information may do a great job of marketing and selling a product, but it may not be accurate. Unfortunately, information on the web is largely unregulated, so it is up to the user to figure this out.
Evaluate Dot Com Websites Carefully
Consider a website that is selling a dietary supplement, and is filled with glowing testimonials about how this supplement can help people with colon cancer. Before you decide that this information is true, you should seek out unbiased research on the supplement and an opinion from a qualified health care professional, to help you evaluate the validity of the claims. Your health is too important to rely on a testimonial for this important assessment.
Another example are websites sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. While these companies are selling a product, the pharmaceutical industry is regulated by the government. For this reason, they cannot post false, incorrect, or misleading information about their medications, medical devices, and other products.
Also, pharmaceutical companies must post full information about the side effects and risks of their products. In this cases, the information on a pharmaceutical website will be accurate. But you'll still need to talk with your health care provider about whether the product in question is right for you.
Other Ways to Find Good Cancer Websites
Another thing you can do when viewing a website is to look for information about who is providing the information. This usually is listed under a section called "About Us," "About the Company," or "Meet the Author."
You can check to see if the person providing the information has any credentials. Is the person a doctor or nurse? A health expert of some type? A noted health authority or researcher? These are important clues regarding the accuracy of the content. If the person isn't trained in the topic being discussed, the information may be inaccurate.
As a final check, you can identify good cancer websites by something called the HON Code. HON stands for Health on the Net.
In order to receive the Health on the Net designation, a website must fulfill basic criteria. This includes things such as identifying the qualifications of the website's authors, providing citations of published health and medical information, and providing a clear statement of the website's privacy and advertising policies.
You can find the HON Code symbol somewhere near the bottom of the home page on the website, if it has received this designation.
With a little effort, you can surf the web for useful information and avoid falling prey to information that isn't accurate or simply, is "too good to be true."
