In an extended analysis of Web pages dedicated to disseminating breast cancer information, researchers at two University of Texas institutions have determined that while most breast cancer data found online was accurate, one in 20 breast cancer Web pages featured inaccuracies. Sites displaying complementary and alternative medicine were 15 times more likely to contain false or misleading health information.

Published in the journal Cancer, the study was conducted by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in collaboration with researchers at The University of Texas School of Health Information Sciences at Houston (SHIS) as one of a series of studies to determine whether existing quality assessment tools can identify false or inaccurate breast cancer information available online.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project estimates that more patients seek health information online rather than visit a physician.