The Internet is full of resources; some reliable and up-to-date, others…not. How can you be certain a resource is trustworthy? One method to evaluate if a resource is credible is called the CRAAP Method[1].
CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. When evaluating the credibility of a Web resource, the CRAAP method suggests you ask yourself the following questions:
Relying on information that is credible is important, especially when it relates to health issues like cancer. Look at this resource about Using Trusted Resources from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Below, I have also provided some examples of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) and cancer resources that are trustworthy; please feel free to explore:
The NCI is a government agency that supports and conducts research on cancer, including detection of cancer, diagnosis, cancer prevention, and survivorship[2]. The NCI website includes a CAM subdivision, which provides credible CAM information for individuals and health professionals.
The American Cancer Society is an organization dedicated to eliminating cancer through research, providing emotional support, and providing the latest cancer information[3].The American Cancer Society website includes a subdivision on CAM information, including methods, dietary supplements, evaluating protocols, and more.
MedlinePlus, produced by the National Library of Medicine, provides information about diseases, wellness issues, and conditions for individuals and their families. MedlinePlus includes a section dedicated to cancer alternative therapies[4]. This portion of the site includes the latest news, a medical encyclopedia, specific articles and clinical trials, videos tutorials, and more.
For more information on finding credible sources, please feel free to email me at librarian@achs.edu.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I am an Online Instructional Design Librarian for American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
References
[1] Bluford Library (2017, July 11). Evaluating web resources. Retrieved from http://libguides.library.ncat.edu/content.php?pid=53820&sid=394505
[2] NIH National Cancer Institute (2015, April 10). Complementary and alternative medicine. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam
[3] American Cancer Society (2017). Complementary and alternative medicine. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine.html
[4] National Library of Medicine (2017, September 2017). Cancer alternative therapies. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/canceralternativetherapies.html