According to a recent Temple University study, researchers have found that  newly diagnosed cancer patients who turn to the Internet for health-related information about their cancer, have an increased positive attitude about the treatments and outcome, take an active role in decisions regarding treatment, and see their relationship with the physician as one of partnership. Those studied were broken into direct user, indirect user and non-user categories based on Internet usage patterns. Direct and indirect users tended to be females between the ages of 50 and 60, who had graduated from college, and made more than $60,000 a year. Those who used the Internet and those who received Internet information from family members or friends were more comfortable asking questions and challenging treatment alternatives.

“They saw the Internet as a powerful tool that enhanced their decision-making ability,” stated Sarah Bass, Ph.D, principal investigator of the study, “They didn’t want to feel powerless or have to rely on the doctor to make all of the decisions.” The Relationship of Internet Health Information Use: Experiences of newly diagnosed cancer patients research study is published online, available as a PDF document. Additionally, the study is published in the March 2006 issue of the Journal of Health Communication.