Fact-Checking Cancer Information on Social Media in Japan: Retrospective Study Using Twitter.

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 cancer-related information on Twitter, a representative social media platform. Our findings can support decision-making among Japanese patients with cancer.

Methods

Using the Twitter app programming interface, we extracted tweets containing the term "cancer" in Japanese that were posted between August and September of 2022. The eligibility criteria were the cancer-

SUBMITTER: Kureyama N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10512120 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature