- Pamela Alejandra Escalante Saavedra*
- Federal Council of Pharmacy, Brasília, Brazil
Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and
content of information available online regarding the prevention and early
detection of breast and cervical cancer in women.
Method.
This cross-sectional infodemiological study was
conducted in November 2022. Websites were identified using the Google search
engine in incognito mode with specific keywords (“breast cancer prevention,”
“cervical cancer prevention,” “early detection breast cancer”
and “early detection cervical cancer”). The first 20 links from each
search were included, totaling 80 sites, of which 43 comprised the final sample
after exclusions for duplication, relevance, or loading failure. Overall
quality was assessed using the Discern instrument (validated in Portuguese by
Logullo et al., 2019), and content was analyzed based on official Brazilian
guidelines (Ministry of Health, INCA). Evaluations were performed by three
researchers, and scores were averaged.
Results.
The overall quality of information was found to be
moderate, with an average Discern score of 45.8. Governmental websites and PDF
documents consistently showed higher quality, suggesting a more robust review
process, whereas commercial websites received the lowest scores. Deficiencies
were noted in addressing treatment risks, knowledge uncertainties, and support
for shared decision-making. The disclosure of risk factors for both cancers was
frequently absent or incomplete. Incorrect information was observed regarding
mammography and cervical cancer screening ages, as well as HPV vaccination in
immunosuppressed women. However, sites excelled at encouraging medical
consultation for suspicious changes and providing correct information on the
cause of cervical cancer and the interval for cytopathological examination.
Conclusion. The quality of online information on cancer prevention in women varies, with governmental websites proving more reliable. It is crucial to educate users on how to identify high-quality health information sources online to combat misinformation and empower women in cancer prevention and early detection.
