Suffolk cancer surgeon warns online myths are putting patients at risk as misinformation spreads through NHS
Research suggests 44% cent of patient-facing NHS workers are dealing with misleading claims about cancer, diets and supplements every week.
A Suffolk cancer surgeon who has battled the disease herself three times has warned that dangerous misinformation circulating online is putting patients at risk and adding pressure to an already stretched NHS.
Dr Liz O'Riordan, a retired breast surgeon who lives between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, is supporting a campaign by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) aimed at helping people identify misleading health information online.
The warning comes after new figures released ahead of Cancer Prevention Action Week (15-21 June) found 44% of patient-facing NHS staff are confronted every week by patients raising misleading ideas about nutrition, supplements or cancer treatment.
The charity says misinformation is increasingly spilling from social media platforms into hospitals, GP surgeries and treatment consultations.
Dr O'Riordan, who has experienced cancer both as a surgeon and a patient, said many people are being exposed to false claims about what causes cancer and how it can be treated.
"I think it varies into what causes cancer and what is going to cure it," she said.
"A lot of people are scared that things like deodorants and preservatives and cosmetics and underwired bras and sugar will cause cancer. They're scared that their mobile phones will and microwaves.
"And for most of us, the biggest thing that causes cancer is age."
The spread of misinformation
She said one of her greatest concerns is the growing number of people promoting unproven treatments online.
"There are lots and lots of people making money selling cancer cures, promising hope and certainty, which is what you want," she said.
"It goes from juicing diets and coffee enemas to bioelectric machines and magic supplements and matcha tea, and they say we can cure you.
"The worst case is when people follow something online, don't have their traditional treatment, and then they die."
The World Cancer Research Fund says around 40% of cancers in the UK could be prevented by addressing risk factors such as obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption.
The impact
However, the charity says healthcare professionals are increasingly spending time correcting inaccurate information found online.
Dr O'Riordan said she understands why patients can be drawn towards alternative treatments following a cancer diagnosis.
"It's a really scary place to be and you're going to want to go online," she said.
"I don't blame patients for believing what they see online. It's very persuasive."
Seeking control
She described how even her own experience as a surgeon did not prepare her for becoming a cancer patient.
"I know how to treat cancer, but I've never sat in a chemo chair. I've never felt the side effects," she said.
"You want to feel in control and no one can tell you what's going to happen in the future."
The campaign is encouraging people to use a new memory tool called TRUST when assessing health claims online.
The acronym asks users whether information is Too good to be true, Research-backed, Understood by the person sharing it, from a reliable Source, and whether they should Think before sharing it.
Dr O'Riordan said patients should be particularly cautious of claims that appear to offer simple solutions.
"Anything that says it can cure all cancers and other diseases is wrong," she said.
"There are over 200 different types of cancer."
She also warned against restrictive diets and unregulated supplements being promoted as cancer treatments.
"People want a magic bullet, a magic cure," she said.
"A lot of people turn to juicing and smoothies or cutting out carbs.
"What you're doing is you're starving your heart and your lungs and your brain. So people are getting weaker and weaker and weaker."
Use trusted resources
Instead, she urged patients to seek information from established organisations such as the NHS, Cancer Research UK and specialist cancer charities.
"The best place for you to go is one of the big cancer charity websites if there is one for your cancer," she said.
"Take it with a pinch of salt and challenge and question everything before you act on it because you only have one life."
The World Cancer Research Fund is calling for stronger support for evidence-based cancer prevention advice as part of the Government's NHS Workforce Plan, arguing that frontline staff need better resources to tackle the growing volume of misinformation encountered in consultations.