As the Government Goes After Google for Antitrust Violations, What Does it Mean For Cancer Patients Who Need Reliable Information?

Related: Baking Soda Injections and Bleach Solutions Can't Cure Your Cancer Now, Google Says They Can't Get Ad Space, Either

“When someone’s diagnosed with cancer, often, they and their loved ones will get on the internet and try and find what’s the cure,” Dr. Jason Westin, a medical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, tells SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “Sadly, there is a lot of information on the internet that’s not well-curated and sounds great and perhaps too good to be true.”

Misinformation concerning cancer treatments are easily found online, and since Google is the largest search engine available to us, that means we can find this false information using their search engine. Facebook is no better. In 2019, the two platforms claimed they planned to crack down on these dangerous ads and posts by not allowing advertisers to market unproven medical products or techniques. However, it’s unclear how much time they’ve dedicated to this. Facebook groups selling alternative medicine still pop up often, and the information is able to be shared widely with just a click of a button.

Dr. Jason Westin says you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet

How Do I Know Information is Credible?

When you go on the internet, the amount of information you’re faced with can be overwhelming. While looking for credible resources, it’s important to make sure it’s been said more than once and from trusted sources. That means keep searching and find additional sites that say the same thing.

Tips for finding credible information:

• Look at the source and research it. Make sure it’s credible.
• Double check that the information is agreed upon by other experts in their fields.
• Turn to trusted sources such as hospital websites or talking to a certified physician.
• Ask yourself: can the data be backed up by other sources?

These fact-checks and questions are essential when making sure information, such as a treatment plan, is both safe and effective. It’s important to double check sources, especially since some misinformation can have deadly consequences.

What is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative medicine are considered “treatment” options which have yet to be scientifically proven. They are sometimes referred to as “fake cancer cures,” and have included products such as bitter melon, asparagus, high-dose Vitamin C, and apricots. Some people claim that these food items alone can kill cancer cells, and alternative medicine’s popularity has grown over the years. According to a 2018 national survey from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), nearly 40% of Americans believe that alternative therapies can actually cure cancer, with the majority being younger adults.

Related: Fake Cancer Cures Still Running Rampant On The Internet Google, Facebook Monitoring Efforts Fall Short

However, this belief can be deadly. A study from Yale University, which was published by JAMA Oncology, found that people who choose to go through alternative therapies are more likely to die than those who undergo conventional treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Over recent years, doctors have turned to incorporating specific therapies into standard care, which is called integrative medicine.

Through integrative medicine, a person’s lifestyle, diet, and stress management will be prioritized right alongside complimentary treatment. Whether it’s doing yoga, making changes to your daily meals, or tweaking your lifestyle, your physician wants to make sure you are at the center of care and your health is being prioritized.

Cancer survivor Amy Grantham emphasizes how important good information is when facing a diagnosis

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