Table 5.

Characteristics of included websites

Link	Content	Key finding related to research question	Analysis HoN	QUEST score (range 0 (lowest) to 28 highest) + %
National Health Service (UK) www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-and-neck-cancer	Information on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, living with and complications	Preparedness for treatment		13(46%)*
Macmillan Cancer support (UK) www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information	Information on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, living with and support	Preparedness for treatment	HoN certified
Cancer Research UK www.cancerresearchuk.org	Information on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, living with and support	Preparedness for treatment		19 (68%)
National Cancer Institute (USA) www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck	Information on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, research and coping with cancer	Preparedness for treatment		15 (54%)
Wikipedia www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_and_neck_cancer	Information on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, prevention, management, prognosis, epidemiology, research, external links	Text only		23 (82%)*
Wikipedia (Wikidoc) www.wikidoc.org/index.php/Head_and_neck_cancer	Information on classification, history and symptoms, differential diagnosis, primary prevention. External links to Q&A, treatment and radiology info	Text only		19 (68%)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK) www.nice.org.uk	Guidance (27) advice (1) pathways (6) local practice (2) news (6) quality standards (1)	Preparedness for treatment		26 (93%)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) www.cdc.gov/cancer/headneck	Information on symptoms, causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, rehabilitation, support	Preparedness for treatment		21 (75%)
American Society of Clinical Oncology www.cancer.net	Information and support	Questions to ask	HoN certified
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust www.ouh.nhs.uk/cancer/cancer-by-type/head-and-neck	Details of service personnel and services at Oxford University Hospital. Links to other sites for information and support. Large selection of patient information leaflets	Preparedness for treatment		12 (43%)*
Head and Neck Cancer UK www.hancuk.org	Patient stories; information and support	Preparedness for treatment Patient narratives (text only)		4 (14%)
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust www.christie.nhs.uk	Information and support; services, PALS	Preparedness for treatment		14 (50%)
Radiological Society of North America www.radiologyinfo.org	Radiation information for patients. Sub section provides information on various options for radiation therapy in HNC	Preparedness for treatment	HoN certified
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk	Details of services and information and support. Dedicated head and neck page	Preparedness for treatment		8 (29%)
Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (USA) www.headandneck.org	Survivorship webinars/videos; information and support	Patient narrative videos( not specifically about preparedness)		18 (64%)
British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists www.bahno.org.uk	Professional organisation with patient area	Information on prevention and symptoms		14 (50%)
British Columbia Cancer (Canada) www.bccancer.bc.ca	Links to a number of guides for patients attending the centre. Dedicated page for HNC with information and support links	Preparedness for treatment	HoN certified
Merck (Germany) www.merckgroup.com	Company webpage available to the public. Several patient experience videos and infographics on site	Preparedness for treatment Patient narrative videos (not related to preparedness)	HoN certified
Cancercare (USA) www.cancercare.org/diagnosis/head-and-neck-cancer	Information on support and information including podcasts, workshops and publications. Board for questions to be submitted and general topic info. Links to other organisations and webpages	Preparedness for treatment		16 (57%)
Cancer Council NSW (New South Wales, Australia) www.cancercouncil.com.au/head-and-neck-cancer	Info on subtypes (very good illustrations). Links to other support and information	Preparedness for treatment	HoN certified
Moffitt Cancer Center (USA) www.moffitt.org/cancers/head-and-neck-cancer/faqs	Information on diagnosis, treatment, FAQs. Patient experience videos	Preparedness for treatment Patient narrative videos (not related to preparedness)		10 (36%)
Cancer Council Victoria (Australia) www.cancervic.org.au	Links to information on overview, diagnosis, treatment	Preparedness for treatment	HoN certified
Emory University (USA) www.cancerquest.org/patients/cancer-type	Link to HNC webpage for patients. Developed in consultation with patients. Information on anatomy, types, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment, survivorship, international resources (links to services across the world)	Preparedness for treatment		16 (57%)
Memorial Sloan Cancer Center (USA) www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/head-neck	Information on signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship	Preparedness for treatment		13 (46%)
American Association for Cancer Research www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/cancer/head-and-neck	Information on subtypes, survivorship videos and patient advocacy section	Preparedness for treatment Patient narratives (text only related to survivorship)		10 (36%)*
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (Australia) www.mylifehouse.org.au/for-patients/cancer-types	Covers different cancers. HNC page covers diagnosis, treatment, support. Tab for patients/caregivers. Includes links to support groups and beyond five page	Preparedness for treatment		14 (50%)
Cancer Council (Australia) www.cancer.org.au	Sections on Talk to Someone (support groups, telephone peer support), Cultural Resources, Practical Assistance, Emotional Assistance, Online support services including e-learning	Preparedness for treatment	HoN certified
Irish Cancer Society www.cancer.ie/mouth-head-and-neck-cancer	Information on diagnosis, treatment, support and publications	Preparedness for treatment		16 (57%)
Fox Chase Cancer Center (USA) www.foxchase.org	Patient and families support services section. Page on HNC including diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, patient stories and clinical trials	Preparedness for treatment Patient narratives (text only, no HNC patients featured)		16 (57%)
American Head & Neck Society www.ahns.info/resources/education/patient_education	Patient education from the American Head and Neck Society includes survivorship, interviews, HPV vaccine for boys, find a physician	Patient narrative videos with cancer survivors reflecting on cancer journey		15 (54%)
ENT Health (American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery) www.enthealth.org/conditions	HNC page covers symptoms, treatment, questions for doctors	Preparedness for treatment		13 (46%)
Head and Neck Cancer Australia www.headandneckcancer.org.au	Website dedicated to HNC for patients/families/professionals. Tabs cover: cancer types, diagnosis, treatment, health and well-being, caregivers/family/friends, find support, webinar, personal stories, find a clinic, latest news. Additionally for health professionals includes patient information sheets and research info	Preparedness for treatment Patient narratives (text only)		13 (56%)

^*Agreed QUEST score by RK and CJS