[The Ideal Situation and Problem for Providing of Cancer Information]

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Public Health
• Health Communication

Background:

• A significant majority of cancer patients (over 60%) rely on the internet for health information.
• The Japanese internet landscape contains substantial amounts of inaccurate cancer information, including commercial advertisements.
• Search engine algorithms often prioritize paid advertisements, making it challenging for patients to discern credible medical information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the risks associated with inaccurate online cancer information.
• To propose solutions for improving the quality and accessibility of reliable cancer information for patients.
• To address the issue of patients receiving non-standard or incorrect cancer treatments due to misinformation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the prevalence and impact of inappropriate cancer information online.
• Review of current search engine functionalities and their effect on information accessibility.
• Examination of existing regulations concerning medical advertisements.

Main Results:

• Patients without medical expertise struggle to evaluate the accuracy of online cancer resources.
• Misinformation can lead to patients and families pursuing ineffective or harmful cancer treatments.
• Current systems fail to adequately protect patients from misleading commercial content.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive strategy is required to combat online cancer misinformation.
• Key interventions include fostering collaboration among medical professionals, enhancing patient-provider communication, and regulating online medical advertisements.
• Improving search engine algorithms and patient health literacy are crucial for ensuring access to accurate cancer information and standard care.