Researcher Identifies Prostate Cancer Misinformation Spreading Across Social Media Platforms

Mayo Clinic Researcher Reveals Alarming Spread of Prostate Cancer Misinformation on Social Media

A new study led by Mayo Clinic researchers has uncovered widespread misinformation about prostate cancer across social media platforms in both English and Spanish, raising concerns about patient decision-making and health outcomes.

The research, published in European Urology Oncology, was co-authored by Andrea Anampa-Guzmán, an NIH T32 Fellow in clinical pharmacology at Mayo Clinic, who recently highlighted the findings on social media.

“I’m excited to share our study on inaccurate info about Prostate Cancer on social media,” Anampa-Guzmán wrote. “We found misinformation is widespread, multilingual, and behavior-changing. Proud to have contributed with Stacy Loeb and team.”

The comprehensive study, titled “Classification of Inaccurate Information About Prostate Cancer on Social Media in English and Spanish,” represents one of the first major investigations into how cancer misinformation spreads across language barriers. Lead author Stacy Loeb collaborated with a diverse team of researchers including Mariana Rangel Camacho, Tatiana Sanchez Nolasco, and several other specialists from various institutions.

This research comes at a critical time when more patients are turning to social media for health information. Prostate cancer affects approximately one in eight men in the United States, making accurate information vital for screening decisions and treatment choices.

The researchers analyzed social media content across multiple platforms, categorizing different types of misleading claims. Their findings revealed several concerning patterns in how prostate cancer misinformation manifests online. Notably, the team discovered that misinformation wasn’t limited to one language or platform but flourished in both English and Spanish-language content.

Most alarming was the study’s conclusion that exposure to such misinformation actively influences patient behavior. This raises significant concerns for oncologists and public health officials working to promote evidence-based cancer screening and treatment adherence.

“The multilingual nature of this misinformation presents a particular challenge,” explained one cancer communication expert not involved in the study. “Spanish-speaking communities may have fewer reliable resources available, making them potentially more vulnerable to misleading claims.”

The healthcare industry has increasingly recognized social media’s double-edged impact on patient education. While these platforms can democratize access to health information, they also create fertile ground for unverified claims and dangerous advice to spread rapidly.

This study builds on previous research showing that cancer patients who rely heavily on social media for medical information may be more likely to delay conventional treatments or pursue unproven alternatives. For prostate cancer specifically, misinformation could affect decisions about PSA testing, active surveillance versus treatment, and management of side effects.

The research team called for improved digital literacy initiatives and more proactive involvement from medical professionals on social media platforms. They suggested healthcare organizations should consider developing targeted strategies to counter misinformation in multiple languages.

“Medical professionals need to meet patients where they are, which increasingly means having a presence on these platforms,” noted a digital health strategist commenting on the findings. “Countering misinformation requires not just accurate content but content that’s accessible and engaging.”

The study represents an important step forward in understanding how medical misinformation operates across cultural and linguistic boundaries. With prostate cancer remaining one of the most common cancer diagnoses in men worldwide, ensuring patients have access to accurate information remains a public health priority.

This research emerges amid growing concern about health misinformation generally, with major social media platforms facing increased pressure to moderate misleading medical content. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the real-world consequences of online health misinformation, and this study suggests similar dynamics are at work in cancer information ecosystems.

As digital platforms continue evolving, medical researchers like Anampa-Guzmán and her colleagues are working to ensure that evidence-based information reaches patients regardless of language or digital environment.