What would you do if your doctor says you have only six to nine months to live because you have developed mesothelioma, a cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos?
Would you know what to ask? Want to know where to look for information? You even know what it is?
Rich DeLisle, 76, Clermont, Florida, pondered the same questions in 2012 when he was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Although he first listened to what his doctors told him about the disease, he then searched online to learn the details of what he was against ?? and share what he discovered with others facing the same disease.
A 2014 Pew Research Center study shows 72 percent of adults in the US search online for information on diseases and special treatments. People diagnosed with chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease, are more likely than other Internet users looking for the disease, read the experiences of others and share their own stories line.
?? I can ?? t imagine getting a serious diagnosis, and not have the need or the need to search online about it, and find out everything you can about it to understand more, ?? DeLisle said.
Since websites with beneficial health information for cancer patients and their families continue to grow, online users should always check that the information is accurate.
Online research helps patients understand their diagnosis
After first talking with their physician and mesothelioma specialists, online DeLisle sought the causes, prognosis, options treatment, clinical trials and everything he could find about his diagnosis.
he shared his findings with his family, and together made decisions on what would be the right path for him.
With the help of specialists, family and the Web, it has opted for a less invasive lung economy pleurectomy / decortication, rather than an aggressive extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery that removes the lung.
It also decided that chemotherapy would be an absolute last option.
?? Although I do ?? t see myself doing chemo in the future because it wrecks havoc on the body, I did the research. I know my options and if it came to that, then I'll be well prepared, ?? DeLisle said.
Personal Sharing related to health information online
The Pew study also found that four online users read or looked at the experience of someone else health or medical issues.
at a time when almost anything can become public information on the web ?? what you ?? re eating for lunch that you ?? re wearing to the gym ?? how much sharing is too much?
A 08 study published in the Journal of Communication shows that online users diagnosed with cancer seeking an interactive support based on the Internet as an online support group, and collect high information quality websites, have a better quality of life, increasing the competence of health care and better social support.
?? Sharing your experiences online gives you an outlet to connect with someone about your feelings. He ?? s different when you talk to people close to you, because they might be afraid to hurt your feelings or saying the wrong thing ??, DeLisle said. ?? Talking with someone who understands more or less what you ?? re going through gives you a better perspective.??
health and medical communities online offer patients, their families and caregivers a way to interact with others facing similar situations. Some are also turning to the social media network such as Facebook, to share their experiences.
This support network is invaluable when you are diagnosed with mesothelioma ?? a rare cancer that attracts little attention and less financial support than the lung, colon and breast.
Be aware of what you read
There are countless benefits of using online information following a medical diagnosis, but there are some things to keep in mind.
Today almost anyone can build and launch a website, download any content to it, and use it to sell you a product that they promise will cure your condition. Because there is no regulation of information on the Web, it is important to discern between good and evil content.
DeLisle checks the sources of all that online bed to ensure that the information is from a credible source. He learned that the strategy when he returned to the university just before his diagnosis.
?? The college was very strict on sources that we used and I learned a lot then, that I apply in my research online. If sources are doctors, scientists, official government sites or groups, I know it's probably a good information, ?? Rich said. ?? Everyone should be equally cautious.??
