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Evaluating Health Information on the Internet

Key Points

• Any Web site should make it easy for people to learn who is responsible for the site and its 

information (see Question 1).

• If the person or organization in charge of the Web site did not write the material, the 

original source should be clearly identified (see Question 4).

• Health-related Web sites should give information about the medical credentials of the 

people who prepare or review the material on the site (see Question 6).

• Any Web site that asks users for personal information should explain exactly what the site 

will and will not do with that information (see Question 9).

• Any e-mail messages should be carefully evaluated. The origin of the message and its 

purpose should be considered (see Question 11).

• The Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration are Government 

agencies that help protect consumers from false or misleading health claims on the 

Internet (see Question 13).

The popularity of the Internet has made it easier and faster to find health information. Much of this 

information is valuable; however, the Internet also allows rapid and widespread distribution of false and 

misleading information. It is important for people to carefully consider the source of information and to 

discuss the information they find with their health care provider. This fact sheet can help people decide 

whether the health information they find on the Internet or receive via e-mail is likely to be reliable.

1. Who runs the Web site?

Reputable Web sites generally make it easy for people to see who is responsible for the site and its 

information. On the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Web site, for example, NCI is clearly noted on 

every major page, along with a link to the site’s home page.

2. Who pays for the Web site?

It costs money to run a Web site. The source of a Web site’s funding should be clearly stated or 

readily apparent. For example, Web addresses ending in “.gov” are Federal Government-sponsored 

sites, “.edu” indicates educational institutions, “.org” is often used by noncommercial organizations, 

and “.com” denotes commercial organizations. The source of funding can affect what content is 

presented, how the content is presented, and what the owners want to accomplish on the site. 

3. What is the purpose of the Web site?

The purpose of the Web site is related to who runs and pays for it. Many Web sites have a link to 

information about the site. The link, which is often called “About This Site,” should clearly state the 

purpose of the site and help users evaluate the trustworthiness of the information on the site.

4. What is the original source of the information on the Web site?

Many health and medical Web sites post information collected from other Web sites or sources. If the 

person or organization in charge of the site did not write the material, the original source should be 

clearly identified.
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5. How is the information on the Web site documented?

In addition to identifying the original source of the material, the site should identify the evidence on which the 

material is based. Medical facts and figures should have references (such as citations of articles in medical 

journals). Also, opinions or advice should be clearly set apart from information that is “evidence-based” (that 

is, based on research results).

6. How is information reviewed before it is posted on the Web site?

Health-related Web sites should give information about the medical credentials of the people who prepare or 

review the material on the Web site. For example, NCI’s Web site contains cancer information summaries 

from the Institute’s PDQ® database. All PDQ summaries are peer-reviewed and updated by six editorial 

boards of cancer specialists in adult treatment, pediatric (childhood) treatment, supportive and palliative care, 

screening and prevention, genetics, and complementary and alternative medicine. Each editorial board meets 

regularly to review and update the cancer information summaries on the basis of newly published research 

results. Additional information can be found at 

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/about-editorial-boards.

More information about PDQ is available in the NCI fact sheet PDQ®: Questions and Answers. This fact sheet 

can be accessed at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/PDQ and can be requested by 

calling NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237).

7. How current is the information on the Web site?

Web sites should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It is particularly important that medical 

information be current, and that the most recent update or review date be clearly posted. Even if the 

information has not changed, it is helpful to know that the site owners have reviewed it recently to ensure 

that the information is still valid.

8. How does the Web site choose links to other sites?

Reliable Web sites usually have a policy about how they establish links to other sites. Some medical Web sites 

take a conservative approach and do not link to any other sites; some link to any site that asks or pays for a 

link; others link only to sites that have met certain criteria.

9. What information about users does the Web site collect, and why?

Web sites routinely track the path users take through their sites to determine what pages are being used. 

However, many health-related Web sites ask the user to “subscribe” or “become a member.” In some cases, 

this may be done so they can collect a user fee or select relevant information for the user. In all cases, the 

subscription or membership will allow personal information about the user to be collected by the Web site 

owners.

Any Web site asking users for personal information should explain exactly what the site will and will not do 

with the information. Many commercial sites sell “aggregate” data about their users to other 

companies—information such as what percent of their users are women with breast cancer. In some cases, 

they may collect and reuse information that is “personally identifiable,” such as the user’s ZIP Code, gender, 

and birth date. Users should be certain they read and understand any privacy policy or similar language on 

the site, and not sign up for anything they do not fully understand.

10. How does the Web site manage interactions with users?

There should always be a way for users to contact the Web site owners with problems, feedback, and 

questions. If the site hosts a chat room or other online discussion areas, it should tell users about the terms 

of using the service. Is the service moderated? If so, by whom, and why? It is always a good idea to spend 

time reading the discussion without joining in, to feel comfortable with the environment before becoming a 

participant.
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11. How can people verify the accuracy of information they receive via e-mail?

Any e-mail messages should be carefully evaluated. The origin of the message and its purpose should be 

considered. Some companies or organizations use e-mail to advertise products or attract people to their Web 

sites. The accuracy of health information may be influenced by the desire to promote a product or service.

12. Where can people find information about health claims they find on the Internet or receive via 

e-mail?

One way to minimize the damage and fear caused by misinformation is to identify respected sources of sound 

health information and use them as primary resources. Additionally, some reputable Web sites include 

information about cancer myths and rumors that have been posted on the Internet or circulated via e-mail. 

Two such Web sites that focus on cancer are described below.

• The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a professional organization that represents physicians 

who treat people with cancer. ASCO’s patient information Web site, Cancer.Net, provides information to 

help patients and their families make health care decisions. The Cancer.Net Cancer Myths Web page 

describes common misconceptions about cancer. This resource is available at 

http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Feature+Articles/Cancer+Basics/Cancer+M

yths.

• The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. The 

ACS offers a variety of services and programs for patients and their families. The ACS also supports 

research, provides printed materials, and conducts educational programs. The ACS Rumors, Myths, and 

Truths Web page provides links to information about possible hoaxes. This page can be found at 

http://www.cancer.org/AboutUs/HowWeHelpYou/rumors-myths-and-truths. 

13. How does the Federal Government protect consumers from false or misleading health claims 

posted on the Internet? 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protection laws. As part of its mission, the FTC 

investigates complaints about false or misleading health claims posted on the Internet. The FTC’s Cure-ious? 

Ask Web page includes questions people can ask their health care provider, tips for spotting cancer treatment 

scams, information about how to file a complaint, and resources for patients and their families. This Web 

page is located at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/curious/index.shtml.

Agency: Federal Trade Commission 

Address: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20580

Telephone: 1–877–382–4357 (1–877–FTC–HELP) (toll-free)

TTY: 1–866–653–4261 (toll-free)

Web site: http://www.ftc.gov/

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates drugs and medical devices to ensure that they are safe 

and effective. The FDA’s For Consumers: Protecting Yourself Web page

(http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ProtectYourself/default.htm) includes links to several resources that have 

tips about buying medicines and other products online. Two of these resources are Beware of Online Cancer 

Fraud (http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048383.htm) and Buying Medicines Over 

the Internet

(http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/BuyingMedicinesOverthe

Internet/default.htm).

Agency: Food and Drug Administration

Address: 10903 New Hampshire Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20993

Telephone: 1–888–463–6332 (1–888–INFO–FDA) (toll-free)

Web site: http://www.fda.gov/

# # #
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Related NCI materials and Web pages:

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 2.1, Cancer Information Sources

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/sources) 

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 2.2, PDQ®: Questions and Answers

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/PDQ)

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 2.8, Cancer Fund-Raising Organizations

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/organizations)

How can we help?

We offer comprehensive research-based information for patients and their families, health professionals, cancer 

researchers, advocates, and the public.

• Call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237)

• Visit us at http://www.cancer.gov or http://www.cancer.gov/espanol

• Chat using LiveHelp, NCI’s instant messaging service, at http://www.cancer.gov/livehelp

• E-mail us at cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov

• Order publications at http://www.cancer.gov/publications or by calling 1–800–4–CANCER

• Get help with quitting smoking at 1–877–44U–QUIT (1–877–448–7848)

This fact sheet was reviewed on 4/15/11