Cancer patients risk dying because of ‘RUBBISH they read on social media’, top doctors warn
CANCER patients are refusing medical treatment because of rubbish they read online, top doctors warn.
People are becoming incurable and even dying as a result of misinformation on social media.
A study led by the University of Bologna found that almost all cancer-related videos on YouTube and TikTok – between 88 and 100 per cent – contain incorrect information.
The NHS, top UK charities and global experts warn the problem is out of control, killing patients who have cancer and terrifying those trying to stay healthy.
Professor Richard Simcock, NHS doctor and chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “I recently saw two young women who have declined all proven medical treatments for cancer and are instead pursuing unproven and radical diets, promoted on social media.
“As a doctor, I want to be able to use the best available therapies to help people with cancer.
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“A person is perfectly entitled to decline but when they do that on the basis of information which is frankly untrue or badly interpreted it makes me very sad.”
Polling by Macmillan has found that 59 per cent of Brits – more than 30million people – believe myths or misconceptions about the disease.
For example experts say patients are being sucked in by influencers’ claims that low-carb diets can battle cancer, recommendations for unproven drugs, and a belief that negative thoughts can cause relapse.
Internet users have also been convinced of false or unproven cancer risks such as from deodorants, mobile phones, underwired bras and dairy, they added.
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They also accuse search engines and artificial intelligence of regurgitating false information.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said: “Social media can provide a supportive community but we're also seeing an alarmingly high level of misinformation on some of these platforms.
“I would urge people to be sceptical of any 'miracle cures' and to use trusted, credible sources like the NHS website.
“These fairy tales aren't just misleading, they can be harmful.”
Dr Julie Gralow, president of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, said: “Several patients of mine wanted an all-natural treatment approach and found clinics online.
“In some cases they died within nine months.
“It's tragic and we wonder what we could have done differently but in the end we can’t force anybody to do anything.”
About 400,000 people develop cancer in the UK each year and 50 per cent survive for 10 years or more after diagnosis.
Matthew Hobbs, of Prostate Cancer UK, added: “Sadly there are a lot of poor sources of information out there.
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“Sometimes they are deliberately pushing unproven treatments or ideas, other times it is well meant advice but lacking expertise and full understanding of all the facts.”
Retired breast surgeon Dr Liz O’Riordan said: “We need to get more doctors talking to patients on social media and explaining things to them.”
