Arrticle by AICR: How to Sift Through Cancer and Nutrition Misinformation on Social Media – American Institute for Cancer Research
A previous study focusing on Pinterest found that about a quarter of the posts/pins studied made a claim about how to prevent or treat breast cancer—and more than half contained misinformation. Much of that misinformation related to turmeric, green tea, vitamin D and other foods and supplements.
“There is a tendency to think that if some [food or nutrient] is good, more is better,” says Collins. “This is in contrast to the evidence showing the power of simple small diet and lifestyle steps that add up to lower cancer risk.”
For social media users coming across posts about nutrition and cancer, Collins and other experts cite seven ways you can spot posts and pins that are most likely to contain misinformation.
- Look at the source. Note if the article is written by or cites a trusted and science-based source—such as AICR or other respected health organizations, education institutions (.edu) or government sites (.gov). The .org url was originally intended for professional organizations, often non-profits, but anyone can register with this url, and their science accuracy may vary. Look for their “About Us” section to see where they get funding and what their health information is based upon. In general, if you do not recognize the source, find their website and read about how they came to the conclusions.
- Go beyond the headline. Headlines are often the most hyped, the click-bait. Before you share or reach a conclusion, read the article critically. Look to see if that diet and cancer headline is referring to a single cell or animal study, which signifies early research. Note that the amount of a food or nutrient in a lab study may not be applicable for people.
- Focus by using a folder. We usually consume social media by skimming, which can lead to missing misinformation clues. Place anything important enough to impact your health in a folder—paper or online—to read and consider when you have more time. This will also allow you to more readily compare it with similar information.
- Spot the warning words. Watch out for terms such as “miracle” and “cure.” Articles containing misinformation may emphasize extreme measures. If the article is leading you to a product, such as a dietary supplement, that is another warning the article may contain misinformation.
- Note the date. Sometimes old articles and images get repurposed or shared for years. Science evolves and that information could be inaccurate. AICR, for example, updated their Cancer Prevention Recommendations in 2018 after a massive review of the global evidence. If you see a relatively old article making statements about nutrition and cancer—or any health claims—visit AICR or another trusted source to verify the article’s content with current information.
- Avoid the anecdotal. There is a good chance that anecdotal claims of miracle treatments that seem too good to be true are not true. For anecdotal stories in general, focus on the research behind the story.
- Still have questions? Speak to your health practitioner. For cancer patients and survivors, it is especially important to speak to their health-care team about information from social media—or other sources—before consuming or doing something related to treatment, experts advise. Even if you receive the post from well-meaning family and friends, it may not be accurate or applicable to every individual.
