Search strings for exact match

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Ozzygirl
Ozzygirl Member Posts: 24

Is there a trick to searching by a string of keywords to match only those keywords?  For example if I type in the keywords "DEIP Surgery" it brings up any posts that have the words "DEIP" and or "Surgery" and brings up a bunch of matches that contain posts that have one or the other words and I have to hunt to find the ones that contain the exact match to the keyword search. 

Its a little frustrating to search through page after page of data returns to look for specific posts, especially when searching for a specific type of cancer or surgery considering the nature of all the posts on this site.

I know that there are characters that are used within certain software that allows for an exact match of the phrase. Is this the case for BCO? 

If not can you look at potentially adding a function or check box for an exact match only?

Thanks

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2014

    Hi Ozzygirl. Unfortunately our Search feature doesn't offer the modifying options that are often available with search engines - putting a phrase or couple of words in order in quotes, or the + and - symbols. 

    When I want to find something specific as you describe, I'll go to Google, and enter this as my search string to give the results found here on BCO (main site and discussion boards):

    "DIEP surgery" site:breastcancer.org

    Use the exact spacing (space after the quote, colon and no space after site), and it will give you results of that combination that are found ONLY on our site. 

    A more precise search function is something on our wishlist, but no idea when/if the resources will be available to get it up and running.

    There's a very active DIEP 2014 thread in the Breast Reconstruction forum that could be a good place to connect with others interested in the DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap.

  • Ozzygirl
    Ozzygirl Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2014

    Wow thanks for the tip - that brings up exactly what I was trying to get hits on. I have read the DIEP thread and found lots of good information but know there is also other posts out there with some great information.

    Thanks for the quick response.

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