Affiliations: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, and Indiana University Center for Bioethics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA | Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Paul R. Helft, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, 535 Barnhill Drive, RT 473, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Tel.: +1 317 278 6942; Fax: +1 317 278 0079; E-mail: phelft@iupui.edu
Abstract: Between 50 and 100 million Americans have used the Internet to obtain health information. Breast cancer is one of the most common diagnoses sought online, and breast oncologists are likely to encounter more and more patients who have used the Internet. The effects that this is having on patients and on the clinical encounter in oncology are unclear. Here, the author reviews recent research about the growing importance of online health information and the small amount of literature on breast cancer and the Internet. Other recent developments, such as efforts to recruit patients to clinical trials via the Internet and online support groups for cancer patients, also are reviewed. Finally, the author offers his views on how best to manage patients' growing interest in Internet information.
DOI: 10.3233/BD-2004-21106
Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 41-46, 2004
