A qualitative review of misinformation and conspiracy theories in skin cancer.

Qualitative assessment of online misinformation content via literature review and search engine analysis

“The aim of this study was to qualitatively assess the content of online misinformation related to skin cancer.”

Online sources including PubMed literature, Google search results, and social media platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram)

“identifying primary sources directly from internet search engines and social media, and secondary sources via a literature review on PubMed.”

7 papers from a literature review of 634 abstracts, plus information from the first 10 pages of Google search results and targeted social media searches

“This search identified 634 abstracts. Following review by two authors (COC, SR), seven papers were considered appropriate for inclusion into the study as they contained content of misinformation related to skin cancer (Table 1).”

Searches performed in August 2021 and updated in April 2022

“The initial literature review and Google searches were performed in August 2021 and updated in April 2022.”

Sunscreen is frequently vilified as ineffective or a cause of skin cancer, with some posts claiming it contains carcinogenic chemicals or causes immune dysfunction.

“Sunscreen was particularly vilified as being an ineffective prophylactic measure and a cause of skin cancer.”