Fact or fake news: How to find reliable health information online

According to the Pew Research Center, half of all adults say they sometimes get their news from social media. However, the percentage of adults worried about inaccurate news has grown to 40%, up from 31%, over the past five years.

We put together these tips to help you to know how to find sources you can trust. These tips will help you identify the helpful, credible information and avoid health misinformation. Misinformation is false, inaccurate, or misleading according to the best available evidence at the time.

1. Verify the source

Cancer and other health information should come from a trusted, credible source.

• Click away from the story to verify the source’s mission and contact information.
• Look for blue checkmarks (verified accounts) from government agencies, hospitals, universities, and medical journals that provide evidence-based information.
• Government websites end in ".gov" and those ending with ".edu" belong to a university or other educational institution. Typically, these are trust-worthy sources.
• Website addresses ending in ".org" or ".com" may also be a trusted site. Still, check these sources closely.

2. Consider the author

The name of the person or group that has published the health information online should be easy to find somewhere on the post or in the account profile. Do a quick search online to determine if they are real and credible (e.g., someone who has earned an MD, DO, or PhD).

🚩 Red flag: A medical degree doesn’t automatically make someone a trusted source. Be cautious of people who call themselves “experts” without clear credentials, social media influencers who don’t cite reliable sources, or anyone promoting health advice that’s paid for by a for-profit company.

🚩 Red flag: If the author is a celebrity, proceed with caution. Often, key details about their diagnosis and treatment decisions are missing. What worked for Angelina Jolie, Sandra Lee, or Elle McPherson may, at best, not apply to your diagnosis, or at worst, cause harm.

3. Find the evidence

Trustworthy health information should include references or links to peer-reviewed research, clinical trials, or reputable institutions.

To check a claim, look it up on a reliable source, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), your local public health department, or trusted cancer-focused organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and Cancer.gov.

🚩 Red flag: If someone is trying to sell you a treatment or a product, take a closer look at their motivations before you “buy” the information.

4. Look at the language

Trusted information is based on evidence and cites studies or facts, rather than relying on emotional or fear-driven language.

🚩 Red flag: Be skeptical if a post promises a “miracle cure” without supporting evidence, or if it’s based on an emotional appeal. If a source makes claims that are too good to be true, they probably are.

5. Check the date

Online health information should include the date it was posted or last medically reviewed. Medical advice and cancer treatments are constantly evolving, so make sure what you are reading is current.

🚩 Red flag: Be wary of posts referencing old guidelines or research. Cancer treatment practices change as new evidence and therapies emerge.

6. Cross-check information

Don’t rely on one source. Make sure several reputable organizations are reporting the same information. Still aren’t sure? Don’t hesitate to ask the experts, such as your doctor or nurse.

What to do if you spot misinformation

• Report it. If you see false or misleading information about breast cancer treatments, cures, or anything suspicious, report it. This helps prevent harm. (Most social media platforms and search engines have tools to report false or inappropriate content.)
• Share trusted resources. Help stop misinformation by sharing reliable health information from trusted sources.
• If you’re not sure, don’t share. Before sharing a story, make sure it comes from a trusted source and is backed by facts. Even though it a story feels emotional or urgent, it still might not be true.

What can you do to stayed informed?

• Sign up for health alerts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
• Get the news about research and medical breakthroughs directly from reliable sources like PubMed.
• Learn about clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.
• Subscribe to reliable medical news outlets like STAT, Shots, and KFF.
• Follow only trusted sources of medical news online and on television, podcasts, and social media.
• Stay updated with LBBC’s weekly e-newsletter for breast cancer news, personal stories, and educational events. Visit our website for medically reviewed information about breast cancer.

Sorting through health information online can feel overwhelming. But focusing on trusted sources and taking control of what you read and share can make a big difference. If the constant stream of news feels stressful, set healthy limits around your media use and rely on reputable sources for guidance.