Information should be

Health information should be:

  • approved by a clinical expert;
  • reviewed and updated regularly;
  • unbiased;
  • non-commercial (not trying to sell you anything).

Information should not

Health information should not:

  • claim to replace the advice given by a doctor;
  • ask you to pay for a full emailed diagnosis.

Check the source

When searching for advice on specific conditions, search well-known organisations, eg Cancer Research UK. Look for sites which end in:

  • .org (not for profit organisations);
  • .gov (government run websites);
  • .nhs.uk (NHS websites);
  • .hscni.net (Northern Ireland health service websites).

Cross-check the information

Cross-check the information. If the same details are repeated across many different websites there is a greater chance that the information is reliable and up to date.

Contact your doctor

If you have any of the signs and symptoms of cancer, remember - it’s better to go to your doctor to get them checked. 

Google is no substitute for your doctor!

  • Why it is important to talk

    “Come and talk to us if you have any health concerns.” That’s the advice of Dr Alan Stout, a Northern Ireland GP with over 12 years’ experience.