Information on the Internet

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Information on the Internet ranges from excellent, cutting-edge data based on evidence to downright wrong and dangerous personal opinions and sales pitches. You’ll do best sticking to sites that are connected to

government (.gov)
universities (.edu)
or not-for-profit organizations (.org)

Remember, if it is too good to be true, it probably isn’t — either good or true.

The following sites are comprehensive, evidence-based, and reviewed for accuracy by health professionals.

The Wellness Community’s Frankly Speaking about Colorectal Cancer is a comprehensive web-based guide to all aspects of managing colorectal cancer from understanding cancer to dealing with its emotional impact. The revised second edition was developed in collaboration with C3 and reviewed by survivors. You can also obtain a free, printed copy by calling the C3 office at 703-548-1225.
The National Cancer Institute has clearly written, easy-to-understand information about colorectal cancer including good illustrations of human anatomy. You can also call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 800-4-CANCER to talk to a health information specialist. Información en español
The American Cancer Society has a slightly less detailed, yet fully informative web site that provides information from risk factors through diagnosis, staging, and treatment to moving on after cancer.
Cancer.Net is a patient information site from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Information is reviewed by both health professionals and patient advocates and is edited for readability. En español
MEDLINE PLUS, a web-based service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, has an extensive list of links to information about colorectal cancer. They also provide multimedia slide show tutorials for colorectal cancer, surgery, colonoscopy, and colostomy.
CancerGuide was developed by kidney cancer survivor Steve Dunn. Different from more professionally designed web sites, it was one of the early places on the World Wide Web that provided information for people with cancer. Steve researched and wrote it himself, adding his personal experience. After surviving metastatic cancer, Steve died in 2005 from an unrelated disease. His friends have kept the site going and current. You’ll find good advice, humor, evidence-based information, and many survivor stories on CancerGuide.

Watch Out for Cancer Website Red Flags

Is online purchasing permitted?

Are “patient testimonials” available?

Is the treatment described as a “cancer cure”?

Is the treatment described as “having no side effects”?

From a study by Scott Matthews MD and colleagues at the University of California, San Diego, Cancer Center.