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Personal experience and medical evidence

A personal story gives hope and understanding. A medical decision rests on evidence and on your doctor.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A balance scale
Figure 1.A balance scale — Personal experience and medical evidence

01Short answer

On this site, personal experience and medical information are shown separately. A personal story describes what one person lived through: feelings, difficulties and practical tips. It can give others hope and support, but it does not prove that a treatment will work the same for everyone. Medical information is based on clinical research, international guidelines and reliable sources. What helped one person may not suit you. Talk with your doctor about any treatment or food you read about in a story.

02Simple explanation

A story is support; evidence is for decisions.

Every path is personal.

03Scientific explanation

In levels of evidence, randomised trials and their systematic reviews rank highest, and single cases and personal opinions rank lowest.

One person getting better does not prove a treatment works, because other factors may play a part.

04What happens in the body?

Personal experience

Feelings, daily life, family and practical tips. Valuable, but individual.

Medical evidence

Research, guidelines and systematic reviews. Sources are listed at the end of every page.

Two paths meeting
Figure 2.Two paths meeting — Personal experience and medical evidence

Bringing them together

Take hope and questions from stories; make decisions from evidence, together with your doctor.

A lamp over a book
Figure 3.A lamp over a book — Personal experience and medical evidence

05From story to decision

Four steps.

Read the story — Support.1Read the storySupport.
A question arises — Does this apply to me?2A question arisesDoes this apply to me?
Look at the evidence — Sources.3Look at the evidenceSources.
Ask your doctor — A personal decision.4Ask your doctorA personal decision.
HopeYou are not alone.
SafetyDecisions rest on evidence.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Personal experienceFeelings, daily life, family and practical tips. Valuable, but individual.
Medical evidenceResearch, guidelines and systematic reviews. Sources are listed at the end of every page.
Bringing them togetherTake hope and questions from stories; make decisions from evidence, together with your doctor.

07Key terms

Level of evidence
How reliable information is.
Randomised trial
A study in which groups are assigned by chance.
Anecdotal evidence
Information based on a single case.

08Key points

  • Stories give hope.
  • Evidence is for decisions.
  • One person’s path is not everyone’s.
  • Talk with your doctor.

09Frequently asked questions

Should I eat the food from the story?

Talk with your doctor or a dietitian first.

Why does the site have stories?

Because support and understanding are part of the journey too.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Should I eat the food from the story?

  2. Why does the site have stories?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Levels of Evidence for Cancer Treatment Studies (PDQ®)
  2. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions
  4. National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
  5. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Evaluating Internet Health Information: A Tutorial
  6. National Cancer Institute (NCI). PDQ® Cancer Information Summaries
  7. Cancer.Net (ASCO). Cancer.Net — Doctor-approved patient information from ASCO
  8. W3C. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview
  9. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Evaluating Health Information
  10. American Cancer Society. Leukemia
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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