We analyzed 200 cancer and autism videos on TikTok and found most contained misinformation
TikTok has become a source of health advice for millions of people. But when you search for cancer and autism treatment, most of the first videos that come up are Claims about treatment thBut are not supported by science, a new test by Market Has been found.
Market Journalists analyzed 100 videos discussing cancer treatments and another 100 videos discussing autism treatments. We found that at least 80 percent of the measures in the video – viewed a total of more than 75 million times – were not supported by scientific evidence.
Many of these clips gain popularity because they are based on compelling personal stories, said health misinformation researcher Tim Caulfield.
“Testimonials, anecdotes, stories — that’s probably the number one way to promote unproven treatments on social media,” he said. “We are used to hearing stories and being compelled by stories.”
Market TikTok was searched using the search terms “cancer cure” and “cancer cure” for cancer videos, and “autism cure,” “autism cure,” and “autism” were searched for autism videos. Starting with the most viewed, we chose 100 that each included a treatment or cure.
Cancer ‘nutrition’ on sugar not supported by science
More than a third of cancer treatment videos featured claims of anti-cancer diets or fasting as a cancer cure.
In a now-deleted video from a creator associated with a juice company in the Toronto area that has since been viewed more than a million times, a man claimed that cancer is spread by starchy or otherwise high-sugar foods, such as white rice, bread, or candy. He said that replacing these foods with “low-sugar” alternatives like avocados and eggs will eliminate cancer cells in one’s body.
Dr. Abha Gupta, a Toronto-based oncologist, said there is no science to support this claim.
“There is no risk of cancer from sugar consumption,” he said. He also said that stopping sugar consumption does not help in its treatment. He said the body breaks down all foods into one of a few types of sugars — whether it’s a donut or an apple.
She said she encounters such “dangerous” misinformation all the time in her practice. He had cancer patients come to him after cutting out all sugar from their diet, thinking it would help them fight the disease. Instead, she said, they lose weight and often feel worse.
“If someone has cancer or is receiving cancer therapy, they need to maintain their weight,” he said.
When? Market When contacted the account behind the video, the creator stood by his claims.
Antiparasitic drugs are not proven to cure cancer
Another prominent claim found repeatedly in the video is that anti-parasitic drugs can be taken to treat cancer.
These include fenbendazole, which is used to treat worms in animals, and ivermectin, which treats parasites in humans and animals. Claims that these drugs could cure cancer appeared in nine videos, which received a total of 1.3 million views; Celebrities such as actor Mel Gibson claim that friends have taken the drug and seen their cancer go into remission. Some accounts also discredit traditional treatments.
Gupta’s opinion? “It’s garbage. Complete garbage.”
Caulfield said this particular myth has spread since ivermectin was promoted as a treatment for COVID-19 by right-wing commentators and some doctors whose medical opinions differed significantly from the scientific consensus, without sufficient evidence.
A spokesperson for Mel Gibson declined to comment on the findings of our story.
Chelation therapy for autism could be dangerous
Market Journalists also found treatments that were dangerous among the 100 videos on autism that our experts identified.
A video viewed 760,000 times claims that chelation therapy – commonly used to treat heavy metal poisoning – can improve communication and behavior in children with autism.
The medical procedure involves using an IV to administer chemicals that bind heavy metals in the body and eliminate them. The video claimed that removing these heavy metals improves autism symptoms.
The Canadian Medical Association says science is under attack and the normalization of health misinformation is putting lives at risk.
In addition to the claims not being supported by science, the treatment could be dangerous, said Dr. Melanie Penner, a pediatrician and autism researcher in Toronto.
“There is a risk of death with these treatments,” he said. “(It) can cause electrolytes, minerals to move rapidly in your body.”
This can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities, he said.
“It really concerns me that so many people are hearing such a bold, inaccurate and dangerous claim.”
Stem cell therapy is not approved to treat autism in Canada
Stem cell therapy for autism was featured in at least 14 of the videos that were reviewed MarketA total of 3.2 million views. It involves injecting stem cells into the body using an IV.
There are only three approved cellular therapeutic products in Canada, and none are approved to treat autism.
A video was reviewed Market It shows a procedure being performed on an autistic girl while her parents explain. They describe the treatment as showing results “virtually the next day”.
Penner said research doesn’t support this. Meanwhile, these treatments Serious complications may occur,
“There are risks of blood-borne infections,” he said. “There have been cases where stem cells injected into the spinal fluid of children led to impaired brain development.”
The creator of the video told us that the improvement they are seeing in their child’s behavior is irrefutable.
Who is sharing this information?
video creator Market The reviews often did not include medical doctors or professionals in the field, but ranged from parents of children with autism to people who claimed to have defeated cancer using the treatments they were promoting.
Meanwhile, several clips were created by accounts that potentially made money from their alleged treatments.
One creator says she is the mother of a child with autism. Most of his content focuses on his son and his treatment. In a now-deleted video she touted her company’s detoxifying supplement, which she claimed would improve her son’s behavior; She sold each supplement as part of a kit in her online store for $190.
Caulfield called it “exploitative”.
“It’s using a story that maybe other families can relate to,” he said. “It’s wishful thinking. There’s really no solid evidence to support it.”
Maddy Dever, an autistic parent of four autistic children, is accustomed to seeing questionable treatments for the condition online.
“I feel for the parents who are trying these things because they really don’t want to see their kids struggle and, in some cases, suffer.”
“It makes me angry,” he said, adding that his anger is directed at the creators, not the parents. “If you legitimately see something as a legitimate therapy supporting change for people, for children, then you go through the process to prove that it works.”
Dever is concerned about so-called “cures” of autism, and the message that these types of unsupported treatments may send about autistic children.
“We’ve moved toward acceptance, where we’re acknowledging that autistic people have a right to be here. We do things differently, and differences are OK.”
lots of videos Market The ones shared with TikTok have been removed.
TikTok declined an interview market, But said the platform does not allow health misinformation that can cause significant harm. He said the company removes content that violates its guidelines, and users are warned when searching for treatments or symptoms, reminding them not to use the platform for medical advice.
