The Infodemic in Cancer in Brazil: A Critical Look at Impacts of Disinformation and Combat Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2026v72n1.5464Keywords:
Infodemic, Disinformation, Syndemic, Neoplasms/prevention & control, Health LiteracyAbstract
The oncological infodemic in Brazil poses a systemic threat to cancer control, undermining public policies, jeopardizing treatment adherence, and eroding trust in care. This article argues that the digital ecosystem, driven by surveillance capitalism, prioritizes engagement over truth, acting as an “informational carcinogen”. Drawing on national and international evidence, it shows that cancer-related disinformation spreads more widely than accurate content, directly affecting patients’ treatment journey. Health literacy emerges as a critical clinical variable: limited levels hinder comprehension of medical instructions and increase susceptibility to falsehoods. The article adopts a syndemic perspective, demonstrating how disinformation, social inequality, and illness interact to intensify harm. To address this challenge, it proposes a strategic framework built on three pillars: regulation (algorithmic transparency and platform accountability), intelligence (active infodemiology and social listening), and education (public policies for health and media literacy). Practical applications are suggested for care pathways such as HPV vaccination and outpatient oncology services. Ultimately, the article advocates that listening, translating, and acting must become essential clinical verbs to restore trust among science, healthcare, and society.
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