JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The widespread use of social media has made it easier for patients to access cancer information. However, a large amount of misinformation and harmful information that could negatively impact patients' decision-making is also disseminated on social media platforms.

Objective:

We aimed to determine the actual amount of misinformation and harmful information as well as trends in the dissemination of this information on Twitter, a representative social media platform. Our findings can support decision-making among Japanese patients with cancer.

Methods:

Using the Twitter application programming interface, we extracted tweets containing the term “cancer” in Japanese that were posted between August and September of 2022. We selected the 100 tweets with the highest number of “likes” that mentioned drug efficacy, side effects, or symptoms. For each tweet, two independent reviewers evaluated whether the information was factual or misinformation, and whether it was harmful or safe. Additionally, we examined the frequency of information dissemination using the number of retweets for the top 100 tweets and investigated trends in the dissemination of information.

Results:

The extracted tweets related to cancer totaled 69,875. Of the 100 tweets with the most likes related to drug efficacy, side effects, and symptoms, 44% contained misinformation, 31% contained harmful information, and 30% contained both misinformation and harmful information. Harmful information was liked more often than safe information (median=95 [43–1,919] vs. 75.0 [43–10,747], P=.039). The median number of retweets for the leading 100 tweets was 13.5 [0–2,197]. Misinformation was retweeted significantly more often than factual information (median=29.0 [0–502] vs. 7.5 [0–2,197], P=.0035); harmful information was also retweeted significantly more often than safe information (median=35.0 [0–502] vs. 8.0 [0–2,197], P=.0021).

Conclusions:

It is evident that there is a prevalence of misinformation and harmful information related to cancer on Twitter in Japan. The dissemination of misinformation and harmful information on social media is a serious concern, and it is crucial to increase health literacy and awareness regarding this issue. Furthermore, we believe that it is important for government agencies and health care professionals to continue providing accurate medical information to support patients and their families in making informed decisions.