Desperately searching for our symptoms online and self-diagnosing is something many of us are guilty of. But can we really trust Dr. Google?
Just today, a reassuring study has determined that we can.
In fact, researchers found that women with ovarian cancer sought tell-tale symptoms of the disease, such as weight loss and bloating, up to a year before being referred to a specialist.
Imperial College London researchers said their findings, based on Google Stories of more than 200 women, had ‘huge potential’ in early disease detection.
Other studies have also supported the use of Dr. Google. A Harvard Medical School study of 5,000 adults in 2021, for example, suggested researching your symptoms online can result in a correct diagnosis, contrary to popular belief.
A study by Imperial College London found that you could find your symptoms online and it could actually help you detect deadly cancer up to a year earlier
Googling symptoms can be jotting down but send patients down a spiral void of anxiety or make them dismiss something that should be seen by a professional
Importantly, they found that it does not make you more anxious, despite what many doctors believe.
One of the researchers at the time even said: ‘Our work suggests that it’s probably OK to tell our patients to “Google it”. This is starting to form the evidence base that there is not much harm in it, and in fact there may be some good.’
Still, the reality is not so clear-cut, and online searches should never become a ‘substitute’ for a real doctor, say experts.
Regardless of what studies may show, they argue that googling symptoms can send patients into a spiraling void of anxiety or cause them to dismiss something that should be seen by a professional.
For example, an innocent Google search to find the cause of your headache may cause you to worry unnecessarily that you have cancer.
Testing the cyberchondria theory, MailOnline entered the term ‘toe pain cancer’ into Google. Dozens of results linked everyday pain to serious illness
Testing the cyberchondria theory, MailOnline entered the term ‘toe pain cancer’ into Google.
Dozens of results linked everyday pain to serious illness.
The vast majority of results appeared to be rare cases of cancer in another part of the body that has spread to the bones, typically the toes.
While toe pain could theoretically be a sign of cancer, the NHS says such pain is likely to be caused by exercising too much or tight-fitting shoes.
Other far more likely causes of toe pain, doctors say, include ingrown toenails, bunions, cold sores, and a broken toe or arthritis.
On the other hand, online search results for ‘unintentional weight loss’ – considered a classic potential cancer symptom – barely mentioned the disease.
Online search results for ‘unintentional weight loss’ – considered a classic potential cancer symptom – barely mentioned the disease. Instead, MailOnline found that Google’s algorithm directed people to more resources about seeking support for eating disorders
Instead, MailOnline found that Google’s algorithm directed people to more resources about seeking support for eating disorders.
Unintentional weight loss was only directly mentioned as a potential symptom after nearly a dozen results.
The NHS warns about unintentional weight loss, that losing pounds without a reason such as stress or exercise is a potential sign of cancer.
It advises people to talk to their doctor to help them determine the cause if they’ve noticed they’ve lost weight unexpectedly over the past few months.
Cancer is just one of the potential medical causes of unintentional weight loss.
Others include digestive problems such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome, as well as other serious health problems such as an overactive thyroid gland, type 2 diabetes or heart failure. All are health problems for which a patient may need help and treatment.
Similarly, some symptom checkers have been found to be correct in only a third of cases.
This is according to researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia, who studied 36 online tools.
Online checkers gave the correct diagnosis as the first result only 36 percent of the time.
Although many websites, including the NHS, provide accurate information, there are many things to be aware of. As such, experts insist that Dr. Google should not be treated as gospel.
Thorrun Govind, former chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of England, told MailOnline: ‘I recognize that because of the time required to access healthcare professionals, people may prefer to go online and try Dr Google.
‘I think the problem is what they put into that search engine to find out what they’re looking for.
‘It also depends on what they get out of that search engine. Sometimes they may find something quite disturbing that they may have to explain to them.’
“Dr Google is not a substitute for a healthcare professional who can consider the individual in front of them and consider who they are, their risks and benefits of treatment and give much more detailed advice.
‘Advice that people find online is likely to be more generic if they use Dr Google.’
Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said: “While there are benefits to checking symptoms on verified and trusted websites such as the NHS website, unfortunately there are many unverified websites providing information on the internet, so people need to be very careful .’
She has come across cases where patients have trusted information online for self-diagnosis and self-treatment, but this had ‘serious consequences’.
“Our advice is to always check with a healthcare professional if you have symptoms,” she said.
Pharmacies can also provide information and advice on medicines, minor conditions and treatments. They can also signpost to a relevant healthcare provider where necessary.