ONE-THIRD of popular social media articles about breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer contained misleading or harmful information, according to a recently published study. Misinformation about cancer online is unavoidable and often garners more engagement than accurate information. This poses a significant challenge for oncologists and healthcare providers putting threatens the physician-patient relationship.
According to Stacy Loeb, lead author, urologic oncology specialist and Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, there is an urgent need for a multifaceted strategy to address this issue. Loeb and colleagues advocate for a collaborative approach involving healthcare providers, professional societies, and community outreach programs. Efforts should focus on enhancing health literacy, particularly among marginalized communities, and holding healthcare professionals accountable for spreading false information. Loeb also highlighted the crucial need for clinicians to actively correct any encounters with misinformation patients may have experienced while looking for cancer information online.
“Misinformation thrives on social media, often due to marginalization and distrust in the healthcare system, pushing patients towards unreliable online sources,” Loeb said. “This misinformation can negatively impact cancer care, leading to delayed treatments, unrealistic expectations, and a breakdown in patient-physician trust.”
Results from the research conducted showed high rates of misinformation across platforms: 42% of YouTube videos, 41% of Instagram and TikTok posts, 15% of Pinterest pins, and 13% of podcasts on prostate cancer contained moderate to high levels of misinformation.
Future research should investigate the psychological drivers behind misinformation and establish evidence-based strategies to mitigate its impact on patient care. “Understanding and addressing the real-world consequences of misinformation is critical,” Loeb concluded, calling for more studies to measure its effects on cancer outcomes.
Reference: Loeb et al. Cancer misinformation on social media. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(5):453-64.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
