HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE COVER ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME: Take the course for this article: The Impact of the Internet on Cancer Outcomes Submit a letter to the editor View responses Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Eysenbach, G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Eysenbach, G.

The Impact of the Internet on Cancer Outcomes

Dr. Eysenbach is Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, and Senior Scientist, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, Division of Medical Decision Making and Health Care Research, Toronto General Research Institute of the UHN, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada.

Each day, more than 12.5 million health-related computer searches are conducted on the World Wide Web. Based on a meta-analysis of 24 published surveys, the author estimates that in the developed world, about 39% of persons with cancer are using the Internet, and approximately 2.3 million persons living with cancer worldwide are online. In addition, 15% to 20% of persons with cancer use the Internet "indirectly" through family and friends. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, the available evidence on how persons with cancer are using the Internet and the effect of Internet use on persons with cancer is summarized. The author distinguishes four areas of Internet use: communication (electronic mail), community (virtual support groups), content (health information on the World Wide Web), and e-commerce. A conceptual framework summarizing the factors involved in a possible link between Internet use and cancer outcomes is presented, and future areas for research are highlighted.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Sun Young Lee, H. Hwang, R. Hawkins, and S. Pingree Interplay of Negative Emotion and Health Self-Efficacy on the Use of Health Information and Its Outcomes Communication Research, June 1, 2008; 35(3): 358 - 381. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Broom and P. Tovey The role of the Internet in cancer patients' engagement with complementary and alternative treatments Health (London) , April 1, 2008; 12(2): 139 - 155. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. F. van Uden-Kraan, C. H. C. Drossaert, E. Taal, B. R. Shaw, E. R. Seydel, and M. A. F. J. van de Laar Empowering Processes and Outcomes of Participation in Online Support Groups for Patients With Breast Cancer, Arthritis, or Fibromyalgia Qual Health Res, March 1, 2008; 18(3): 405 - 417. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. E. Falagas, E. I. Pitsouni, G. A. Malietzis, and G. Pappas Comparison of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar: strengths and weaknesses FASEB J, February 1, 2008; 22(2): 338 - 342. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E.-O. Im and W. Chee The use of internet cancer support groups by ethnic minorities. J Transcult Nurs, January 1, 2008; 19(1): 74 - 82. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. J. Welch Cline, L. A. Penner, F. W.K. Harper, T. S. Foster, J. C. Ruckdeschel, and T. L. Albrecht The Roles of Patients' Internet Use for Cancer Information and Socioeconomic Status in Oncologist-Patient Communication J. Oncol. Pract, May 1, 2007; 3(3): 167 - 171. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Iconomou, A. Viha, A. Koutras, I. Koukourikou, V. Mega, T. Makatsoris, A. Onyenadum, K. Assimakopoulos, A. G. Vagenakis, and H. P. Kalofonos Impact of providing booklets about chemotherapy to newly presenting patients with cancer: a randomized controlled trial Ann. Onc., March 1, 2006; 17(3): 515 - 520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. L. Kreps Communication and Racial Inequities in Health Care American Behavioral Scientist, February 1, 2006; 49(6): 760 - 774. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. W. Hesse, D. E. Nelson, G. L. Kreps, R. T. Croyle, N. K. Arora, B. K. Rimer, and K. Viswanath Trust and Sources of Health Information: The Impact of the Internet and Its Implications for Health Care Providers: Findings From the First Health Information National Trends Survey Arch Intern Med, December 12, 2005; 165(22): 2618 - 2624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Bogliolo, W. Russell-Edu, G. Alloro, R. Ballarini, G. Bocchini, L. Cecere, A. Codonesu, G. Cognetti, M. Montella, R. Ricci, et al. More information, more choice: an Italian database for oncology patients Ann. Onc., December 1, 2005; 16(12): 1962 - 1967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. R. Helft, R. E. Eckles, C. S. Johnson-Calley, and C. K. Daugherty Use of the Internet to Obtain Cancer Information Among Cancer Patients at an Urban County Hospital J. Clin. Oncol., August 1, 2005; 23(22): 4954 - 4962. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Hester, L. F. Heilig, A. L. Drake, K. R. Johnson, C. T. Vu, L. M. Schilling, and R. P. Dellavalle Internet Citations in Oncology Journals: A Vanishing Resource? J Natl Cancer Inst, June 16, 2004; 96(12): 969 - 971. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Eysenbach, J. Powell, M. Englesakis, C. Rizo, and A. Stern Health related virtual communities and electronic support groups: systematic review of the effects of online peer to peer interactions BMJ, May 15, 2004; 328(7449): 1166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

eLetters: