People get umpteen health news forwards and they often forward without verifying. Some even think "may be it will help some one". Dr. Aju Mathew, medical oncologist and director, Kerala Cancer Care shares his tips on how to spot the fake news forwards and whether you should forward or not.
We live in an era of information superhighway. In a way, this is a more democratic way of communication. Everyone has a voice - not just those with power or knowledge. But in the cacophony of the voices, the loudest or the most popular health news often gets the better of the truth. It does not bode well for public health. At a personal level, we get several health news or information on our cellphone via social media and WhatsApp. In my opinion, the vast majority of them is fake health news and provides fraudulent information.
What are key characteristics of health-related information that is fake or untrue?
1. A good-for-all pill
Fraudulent health information would focus on proclaiming a ‘magic pill or herb’. It will proclaim the greatness of one pill or a method to cure it all - a one-size-fits-all approach. Such a therapy almost always consists of a 'mystery ingredient'. Here is an example on amygdalin which is found in fruits.
2. Personal testimony
Some fake information would focus on patients who were referred from premier cancer centers with the prescription that they only had a few weeks left in life. But with their treatment, they were cured. Sadly, they won't be able to provide even an iota of data to support their claim.
3. An easy way out
The fake news would proclaim an easy way out of chemotherapy or surgery. There really is no easy way out for cancer care. Sadly that's the truth.
4. Fully natural
One of the most common methods of viral fake news is to advertise a strategy or product as 'fully natural'. It plays on people's understanding that fully natural means safe and non-toxic. But that is not always the case. In fact, one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs is obtained from the bark of a tree – fully natural origin. Yet, it produces adverse effects on patients who receive it for cancer care. Several fully natural products have toxic amounts of heavy metals. So be careful when someone touts a ‘fully natural’ product.
5. Miracle cure
Some fake or fraudulent news would focus on a miracle cure. As a cancer doctor who has treated thousands of patients over the last decade, I can say that the number of times I have seen a patient in whom I can say some sort of miracle happened would not be more than a dozen. That's why it's called a 'miracle'. There is no predictable method to the miracle.
6. Blame everyone
Finally, most people who create fake news would blame everyone for all that ails the society or an individual. “Cancer is caused by chemotherapy. Cancer is caused by medical mafia. Cancer is a modern disease. Cancer cure is hidden by doctors.”
Who creates these fake news forwards?
Who creates such fake health information? What do they gain by doing so? Most often, such fraudulent information is created by individuals who manage commercial web pages that use such fake news as a click-bait to increase the visitors to their page. More visitors mean more revenue. A large chunk of fake news is created by people who benefit from its spread – alternative medical providers or quacks who gain by selling medicines in person or through online sales, and a cottage industry that revolves around them, such a travel agencies, hotels and agents. They work in a place with lax regulations.
Should I forward health news?
If we forward fake news, it would inadvertently put a gullible individual at risk for physical, emotional or financial harm. It is our responsibility that we verify the health news or forward we receive before sending it to another person. If we are unable to verify it, we must not forward the news. That is the only way we can reduce the fake news problem in healthcare.
Here is an example of fake news where you think you are being helpful to others by forwarding
If you have a question on any health forward you can ask in our community forums and we will get back to you
Dr. Aju Mathew, Director, Kerala Cancer Care, Kochi
MBBS (Trivandrum), MD (USA), MPhil (Cambridge), FACP (USA), American Board certified (Int Med, Hemat, Med Oncology) (Pittsburgh)
