Introduction
Despite cancer being a leading cause of death and disease worldwide, the risk factors and current treatment options are poorly understood by the general population.1,2,3,4 One reason for this is the vast amount of health misinformation available online.5 This is particularly a problem in the field of oncology, with 1 in 3 articles being classed as inaccurate.6 Furthermore, 70% of articles containing misinformation were said to be potentially harmful.6 Although this isn't a new phenomenon, the modern use of social media has resulted in myths and conspiracy theories spreading at an unprecedented speed and scale.7 A recent study found that 65% of people cited the internet as their main form of news and that content classified as rumours, i.e. scientifically inaccurate or false, was shared 3.29 times more than those classified as scientifically correct.8
Cancerous Myths
Some of the most prevalent myths focus on the use of food to prevent and treat cancer. These articles can be particularly powerful as diet is something everyone can relate to and individuals affected by cancer want to have a sense that they can exert control.9 This, in combination with a decline in public trust in the healthcare system and increased patient autonomy, has resulted in a rise in the use of unproven, unconventional and controversial cancer treatments.10
The extent of this problem was demonstrated by Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer. She openly shared her cancer journey online, claiming to suffer from an inoperable brain tumour, plus blood, spleen, uterine, liver, and kidney cancer, all caused by a reaction to the Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine.11 Her rise to fame occurred when she claimed to cure herself through healthy eating. The success of her blog landed her a book deal and a podcast with Apple. However, doubts arose when inconsistencies in her story came to light. In late April 2015, Belle gave an interview to ‘The Australian Women’s Weekly’, in which she admitted to fabricating her cancer claims.12 This highlights the importance of fact-checking cancer food myths you find on social media. 3 of the most common claims are listed below:
1 - Consuming soy stimulates breast cancer tumour growth
Soy contains a plant-based chemical called isoflavone, that has a similar structure to oestrogen.13 As this hormone is associated with tumour growth in most breast cancers, many blogs encouraged their readers to remove soy from their diet, out of fear that it would act in similar manner.14
Whilst rodent studies have reported that isoflavone promoted breast cancer tumours in rats, no human studies have proven this link.14 In contrast, many studies have found that the consumption of soy is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer.15,16,17 Furthermore, researchers have found that rats metabolise soy differently to humans.14
Verdict: The current body of evidence indicates that the consumption of soy is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer.
2 - Sugar feeds cancer
The myth that sugar fuels cancer growth arose from confusion around PET scans, which are used to detect and diagnose cancer.18 Patients are asked to drink a sugary beverage prior to the scan to identify areas of high energy consumption, as one of the hallmarks of cancer cells is the overconsumption of glucose.18 However, there have been no randomised controlled trials to date to prove this.19
Although, it is important to note that consuming large amounts of sugar can lead to an increased risk of obesity and diabetes, which may increase the risk of cancer.20
Verdict: Depriving cancer cells of sugar doesn't make them grow more slowly, hence removing sugar from your diet is not a proven cancer treatment. But the indirect link between cancer incidence and excessive sugar consumption means that it should be eaten in moderation.20
3 - Consuming antioxidant supplements decreases the likelihood of developing cancer
Antioxidant is a marketing buzzword used by food companies to promote the health benefits of their supplements; these chemicals are known to neutralise free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells).21
Although population studies have shown that individuals who consume a diet high in antioxidants develop cancer less than people who don't, studies investigating supplements specifically have produced little supportive evidence.22
Verdict: There isn't strong evidence that antioxidant supplements have a substantial impact on disease risk, one possible reason is that antioxidants tend to work best in combination with other antioxidants, nutrients and plant chemicals.21
Conclusion
Being diagnosed with cancer is a vulnerable and scary position to be in, so it is understandable that affected individuals seek information online to maintain hope.23 However, anyone who uses the internet and especially social media can be exposed to health misinformation.24 If steps aren't taken to ensure that fact is separated from fiction, the implications for public health efforts could be immense.
Here at TVF, high quality accurate scientific communication is paramount. Our medical and client services have extensive experience delivering disease awareness campaigns, communicating the latest developments in healthcare. To find out more about how we can support you, get in touch.
By Anita Paliah
