Cancer misinformation on social media rises, Huntsman Cancer Institute study finds

SALT LAKE CITY – Many of us are turning to the internet for information about our health, but a new study from Utah finds misinformation about cancer treatments is growing on social media.

It may be human nature to scour social media for answers after a cancer diagnosis, but experts say following advice found online without talking to your doctor first can be harmful.

“I call it the cloudy waters of the Internet,” said Dr. Skyler Johnson, assistant professor in the University of Utah School of Medicine and radiation oncologist at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

That’s exactly what Johnson did when his wife got cancer while in medical school.

“The first thing we did was go online and figure out, ‘What are the treatment options, what’s the prognosis?’” Johnson said.

Johnson is now the principal investigator at the Huntsman Cancer Institute which studies disinformation online.

“We know that patients who choose to use treatments that do not have scientific backing for them are putting their own health at risk,” he said.

Their study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that many of the most popular cancer articles shared on social media are not accurate.

According to researchers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 33% of articles on social media contained cancer misinformation. Of these, 77% had information that could negatively impact patient outcomes.

“If that means you are refusing conventional cancer treatments, it decreases your chances of recovery and survival,” Johnson said.

Scientists also found that deceptive articles were the most successful online, especially on Facebook.

That’s why Johnson said it’s essential to talk to your doctor before trying any new treatment.

“It’s about being able to use social media wisely and being a little critical of any information you may see online or hear from your well-meaning family and friends,” he said. he declared.

He prescribes a healthy dose of skepticism when reading articles about cancer on social media.

Next, Johnson and his team will examine the likelihood of people recognizing false information about cancer on social media when they see it.