Table 3 Claims Made on Proton Therapy Centre Websites
|  | All Websites % (n) (N = 46 unless otherwise specified) |
|---|---|
Claims about Proton Therapy | |
 Improved Disease Control or Cure | 60.9% (28) |
 Standard of Care | 13.0% (6) |
 Fewer Side Effects | 84.8% (39) |
 Specific Side Effects Listed | 67.4% (31) |
 Quicker Recovery Time | 15.2% (7) |
 Increased Quality-of-Life | 39.1% (18) |
 Dose Distribution Advantage | 97.8% (45) |
Claims and comparison to Other Modalities | |
 Photon RT: Increased Efficacy | 60.9% (28) |
 Photon RT: Decreased Morbidity | 84.8% (39) |
 Surgery: Increased Efficacy | 2.2% (1) |
 Surgery: Decreased Morbidity | 21.7% (10) |
Evidence Provided for Claims on Website | |
 All Claims Referenced | 4.4% (2) |
 Some Claims Referenced | 32.6% (15) |
 Generic References (e.g. Studies show that…) | 6.5% (3) |
 No Claims Referenced | 56.5% (26) |
Alternative Treatment(s) to Proton Therapy Listed | 89.1% (41) |
Claim Local/Regional Leader in Proton Therapy | 43.5% (20) |
Length of Time Treating/Patient Volume Listed | 71.7% (33) |
Mention of Cost/Insurance of Proton Therapy | 69.6% (32) |
Proton Therapy as Clinical Trial Listed | 56.5% (26) |