In early April, as reported by the Associated Press, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned “consumers to avoid 65 bogus products hawked on the internet with false claims that they can cure, treat, diagnose or prevent cancer … [saying] these products, mostly sold on websites and social media sites, can be harmful, waste money and result in people not getting approved, effective treatments.”

In this age of “miracle cures,” pharmaceutical competition and information overload, trying to decipher real from fake medical news has become confusing. Exaggerated claims and lack of fact-checking has become the norm in an attempt to increase site hits and profits, and even sway political opinions. Back in the good old, pre-internet days, standing at the grocery check-out aisle, there were only so many journals and publications to choose betweem. Knowing which publication was sensationalized versus which was trust-worthy and factual was easy. At least then, the “fun” version was good for an easy laugh and reality escape, and then promptly used to line the bird cage or dog kennel.

Unfortunately, nowadays, seeking real health information has become a lot more risky because so much content can be found at the touch of a button. Often, the most sensationalized news items are the ones promoted most aggressively on social network sites and, as a result, goes viral, garnering more attention than the truth. Disturbing false claims of “miracle cures” can be made with little to no repercussions regarding accuracy or dependability. So, how exactly should regular people navigate the web for real and accurate information?

[See: When Health Treatments Go From Hospital to DIY.]

Read Smarter: Tips for Real vs. Fake

First, it’s important to understand who is writing the article and whether they (and the publication) are credible. Ask yourself:

— Is the author or publication known for supporting its ideas by citing evidence from multiple research programs?

— In the case of medical/health news, does the author have a medical background or a pertinent degree?

— Does the author simply cite one obscure program that happens to support their theory in its own relatively vague way, but fails to report additional research that draws contradictory conclusions?

— Does the story present the study limitations or methodology as presented by the researchers?

Importantly, sometimes health news is written by experienced health writers and not necessarily a trained health professional. However, that’s acceptable provided that the articles cite real research or have been medically reviewed before publication. The best articles come from experienced writers who use reputable sources (peer-reviewed studies, government reports, expert opinions) and balance information by presenting study methodology and goals.

A second tip for the wary reader is to ask your physician or health care professional which journals, publications or websites they rely on for their own research or information. Also, if your particular illness or concern is fairly common, like arthritis, odds are there are online, non-profit patient communities (like the one I founded in 1999, CreakyJoints) with plenty of up-to-date, evidence-based research that provide education about treatment and management strategies. Those resources, as well as vetted patient guidelines, will help a motivated person managing a disease become educated and, then, be ready to have a productive conversation with his or her medical provider before selecting a treatment strategy and working toward better health outcomes.

Lastly, when reading, look at how the information is actually being reported and the verbiage used to describe its potential successes and usage. Generally speaking, if the wording used mentions a “miracle cure,” it’s probably too good to be true. If there was a readily available, common miracle cure out there for cancer, why wouldn’t anyone and everyone want to use it? And wouldn’t it be reported by every major news outlet? Healthy skepticism is important when reading medical and health information.

[See: Creative Ways Hospitals Reach Diverse Populations.]

The Damage Is Real

In the past decade, in an attempt to shut down all of the false cancer “cure or prevention” claims, the FDA issued 90 warning letters to companies falsely promoting their products. Many of those products were untested pills, creams or supplements (like teas) that were not evaluated by the FDA for their safety and efficacy. Without the FDA’s stamp of approval, patients (and physicians) have no way to determine if these products work or if they might even interact dangerously with other prescription medications. Yet, those with cancer (and their loved ones) might jump at another treatment option if presented attractively.

Individuals with a heart-breaking diagnosis who are seeking help can be easy prey for for-profit companies who take advantage of those desperate for a cure with little regard for outcomes other than their own bottom line. Unfortunately, fake medical news can be written very persuasively, and it’s easy to be seduced by false promises. It’s vital to be a critical reader in partnership with seeking advice from health care professionals.

What Else Can Be Done?

Due to the extraordinary amount of fake news being produced, there are websites dedicated to helping one determine if information is real or fake. If you happen to find yourself reading an article and looking for clues for its authenticity, and you still find yourself unsure of its accuracy, check out a website designed for fact-checking, such as factcheck.org. If you are reading about a possible new-to-you treatment option, don’t just read one article. Search for other commentary on the treatment from credible sources.

[See: 14 Things You Didn’t Know About Nurses.]

Even the experienced reader needs to be a skeptic. Before jumping at the first, exciting break-through, we need to be prepared to complete our own thorough investigative reporting!

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Medical News: Real or Fake? originally appeared on usnews.com