Conversations on Cancer - Cancer Misinformation: Truth or Consequences

The internet is changing the way patients with cancer learn about their disease and their treatment options. Cancer misinformation has become an increasingly prevalent problem, potentially endangering public health and understanding. Rapid evolution of social media platforms on the internet has facilitated the spread of misinformation and given rise to disinformation (intentional misinformation for secondary monetary gain). Unfortunately, there are no clear methods or guidelines to verify the validity of the information shared on mainstream news outlets or what gets posted to social media.
OCE Conversations on Cancer will bring together experts in medical journalism and the oncology field to give examples of cancer misinformation on social media platforms and in mainstream news outlets. We will discuss how to identify misinformation online, and be able to recognize when information is false or misleading. We’ll discuss strategies for moving forward, barriers and facilitators to social media use for patient and community education.