Evaluation of NCI-Designated Cancer Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center Survivorship-Focused Websites: Information Provided and Accessibility

• DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2024.7017
• Publication Date: 2024-08-16T17:23:28Z
• Authors: Rachel T. Kurtzman; Lisa Mikesell; Benjamin F. Crabtree
• Keywords: Access to Information; Internet; Cancer Survivors; Consumer Health Information; Neoplasms; Humans; Survivorship; Cancer Care Facilities; United States; National Cancer Institute (U.S.)

Background: Individuals with a history of cancer increasingly seek health information from online resources, including NCI-designated Cancer Center websites. Centers receive NCI designation because they provide excellent care and engage in cutting-edge research. However, the presented on these webpages their accessibility is unknown. An evaluation survivorship-focused needed to assess survivorship webpages. Methods: We conducted an 64 Centers. evaluated where were housed, if there was clinic or program, target audience webpage, how survivor defined, contact methods, available resources. Accessibility outcomes included readability, font type, size, color scheme, alternative text (alt text) descriptors. artificial intelligence (AI) audit webpage compliant national guidelines. Results: Most centers had 72% located center’s website 28% system website. Survivorship varied considerably often lacking detail. Although three-quarters targeted patients only, variable definitions observed. issues identified inconsistent use alt descriptors, size smaller than 15 points, schemes without adequate contrast. The average reading-level above 12th grade. Only 9% guidelines; semicompliant 21% noncompliant. Conclusions: Information inconsistent, lacking, inaccessible. are role models for research United States have obligation information. Changes content design better individuals seeking resources relative care.