Stephanie B. Goldglantz, School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University, 107 Ave. Louis Pasteur Box 344, Boston, MA 02115, 917-682-1093, stephanie_goldglantz@student.hms.harvard.edu

Introduction: The internet is a valuable tool in transmitting new information to health providers and the public and can therefore be used to monitor changes in medical practice and recommendations. In June 2001, it was first reported that monthly breast self exams (BSE) did not result in a reduction of mortality from breast cancer (Baxter N. CMAJ 2001;165:261).

Objective: To measure the dissemination of new information and changes in recommendations of BSE since recent data cast doubt on its benefit.

Methods: Two systematic searches were conducted with the search engine Google for websites relaying information about BSE. Quality of websites was evaluated using previously established benchmarks and additional criteria, including: mention of the new research, whether the websites were updated since the research, and whether monthly BSE or breast awareness has since been recommended.

Results: Of the 200 websites retrieved, 53 were duplicated, and 13 others were excluded due to lack of information or use of identical information from the same website source. Of the remaining 134 websites, only 27% mentioned the new research. Moreover, of the 47% which updated their site subsequent to the new research, only 38% mentioned the research. 86% of all 134 websites continued to recommend monthly BSE, while only 8% recommended optional BSE and/or breast awareness.

Conclusions: Most of the websites still have not mentioned the new research, suggesting that even though the internet is a fast way of obtaining information it is not always the best source of the latest available data.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the different sides of the breast self exam controversy.
• Evaluate websites providing current breast self exam information.
• Analyze how new medical information is effectively disseminated to patients via the world wide web.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.