Cancer misinformation is common on social media sites, study shows

A new study published online today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reports that one-third of the most popular cancer treatment articles on social media contain misinformation. Additionally, the vast majority of this misinformation has the potential to harm cancer patients by supporting approaches that could negatively impact the quality of their treatment and their chances of survival. The study also found that articles containing disinformation garner more attention and engagement than articles containing factual information.

The internet is a major source of health information, and misinformation is increasing among many types of health issues. This is an urgent challenge because it can lead patients to make decisions that are detrimental to their survival or to their outcomes.

Skyler Johnson, MD, a Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) physician-researcher and assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Utah (U of U), led the study. Johnson’s interest in this area was piqued after work he completed earlier in his career showed a higher risk of death in patients who used unproven approaches to treating cancer as an alternative to treatments. conventional evidence-based. This research led Johnson to several discussions with patients, doctors, researchers and journalists. During those conversations, Johnson uncovered a recurring theme about the role online media, especially social media, played in spreading inaccurate information about cancer. Additionally, in his clinical practice at HCI caring for people with cancer, Johnson often heard from patients who had questions about articles they had seen on social media.

He and the research team set out to better understand the amount and nature of cancer information on social media. The research team included experts in cancer care, health outcomes and communications. They brought together groups of medical experts to review and assess the claims presented in 200 of the most popular articles on social media sites. For this study, the researchers focused on articles related to breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers.

“We have found that disinformation is clearly widespread in cancer articles on social media, and the vast majority of these articles contain harmful information,” Johnson said.

The team’s results showed just how common it is for cancer patients to receive misinformation. Of 200 articles analyzed, 33% contained disinformation. Of these, 77% contained information that could negatively influence patient outcomes. Johnson noted that after reviewing the articles, he had great concerns about how one could distinguish between reliable and unreliable articles.

Johnson says he understands why patients search for information online, including through social media platforms. “Having cancer is a unique and vulnerable situation. Patients are faced with a new disease. They want to feel in control of their own health and do whatever they can to stay hopeful. social media. Some patients are looking for information, and some information is shared with patients by well-meaning family and friends.

He advocates that physicians maintain open channels of communication with their patients. In his practice, he lets patients know that they are likely to come across misinformation about their cancer online. He encourages his patients to speak to him if they have any questions about the information they see related to their cancer online or through social media.

Johnson hopes this research is just the start. He wants to identify predictors of misinformation and harm on social media in order to help doctors and patients better understand and navigate this difficult problem.

“We have to tackle these issues head on,” Johnson said. “As a medical community, we cannot ignore the problem of cancer misinformation on social media or ask our patients to ignore it. We need to empathize with our patients and help them when they encounter this type of disease. My goal is to help answer their questions and provide cancer patients with accurate information that will give them the best chance for the best outcome. ”

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Johnson acknowledges the critical efforts of the entire study team, including lead author Angela Fagerlin, PhD, HCI cancer researcher and professor and chair of population health sciences at the U of U ; Jonathan Tward, MD, PhD, HCI physician-researcher and professor of radiation oncology at U of U, who organized the process of expert medical review of articles; and Laura Scherer, PhD, disinformation researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute P30CA042014 and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

Public Resource Note: The Huntsman Cancer Institute Cancer Learning Center is a free service for healthcare professionals and members of the public who have questions about cancer, including questions about articles they can see on social networks. You can reach him toll-free at 888-424-2100 or by email at [email protected]. Services are available in English and Spanish.

About the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah

The Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is the official cancer center for Utah. The cancer campus includes a specialized state-of-the-art hospital, community clinics, a mobile screening program and two buildings dedicated to cancer research. HCI treats patients with all forms of cancer and is recognized as one of the nation’s top cancer hospitals by US News and World Report. As the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer center in the Mountain West region, HCI serves the largest geographic region in the country, attracting patients from Utah, Nevada, Idaho, of Wyoming and Montana. More genes for hereditary cancers have been discovered at HCI than at any other cancer center in the world, including the genes responsible for hereditary cancers of the breast, ovary, colon, head and neck, as well as melanoma. HCI maintains the Utah Population Database, the world’s largest genetic database, containing information on more than 11 million people linked to genealogies, medical records and vital statistics . HCI was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.