ASPO Abstracts
Young adult cancer caregivers' experiences with cancer-related health misinformation on social media
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose: We interviewed young adult cancer caregivers (YACC) to describe their exposure to cancer-related
misinformation on social media and how this influenced their behaviors.
Methods: Eligible YACC were 18-39 years old used Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter at least once per
week, and were engaged in caregiving for an adult cancer patient diagnosed between 6 months to 5 years
prior (N=34). Recruitment occurred from 08/2017-06/2018 at oncology clinics in Utah, and online advertising by
national caregiving and cancer organizations. Telephone interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and
analyzed through two rounds of qualitative coding. Thematic categories included 1) exposure to cancer-related
health misinformation, 2) how misinformation influenced YACC's behaviors.
Results: YACC were on average 29.0 years (range 21-38) and cared for cancer patients on average 37.0 years
of age (range 19-76). YACC were exposed to a variety of cancer-related misinformation on social media about
causes of cancer, cancer cures, symptom management, and cancer treatment. A minority of YACC perceived
that misinformation on social media was driven by financial incentives (e.g., selling cancer cures or products
for symptom management) while others felt misinformation came from well-intending followers. Misinformation
had mixed influences on YACCs behaviors. For some, misinformation led them to avoid using social media for
cancer-related purposes. Others did not feel dissuaded from using social media because they felt confident
dealing with misinformation. These caregivers used strategies to mitigate misinformation including ignoring
information they perceived was incorrect, consulting clinicians about information they were uncertain about,
and referencing other online resources to verify questionable information.
Conclusions: YACC are a digitally native population who often use social media for health information. YACC's
limited exposure to caregiving and cancer may make them especially prone to consumption of cancer-related
misinformation on social media. The extent to which YACC correctly identify misinformation on social media is
a critical area for future research.
Keywords: social media, caregiver, young adult