The Internet is rapidly becoming a third party in the doctor-patient relati
onship, The World Wide Web, electronic mail (e-mail), and discussion groups
have dramatically increased the quantity of medical and health information
available to patients, who, in turn, vary greatly in their understanding o
f that newly discovered information. This article reviews the advantages an
d disadvantages of the Internet for both oncology patients and physicians.
This forms the background for a discussion of three steps that clinical onc
ologists and other health care professionals can take to direct and control
the potential of the Internet so as to optimize patient care. These steps
include: (1) finding out what type of cancer information is being dissemina
ted on the Web; (2) using Internet-derived material that patients bring to
the clinic as a stepping-stone for patient education; and (3) becoming an a
ctive participant on the Web, Each of these strategies requires health prof
essionals to be proactive, The appropriate and effective use of the Interne
t, as well as ifs boundaries, are rapidly expanding in medicine and are lik
ely to co-evolve with changes in patient-health care provider. relationship
s.