Instagram and prostate cancer: using validated instruments to assess the quality of information on social media

Background The quality of prostate cancer (PCa) content on Instagram is unknown. Methods We examined 62 still-images and 64 video Instagram posts using #prostatecancer on 5/18/20. Results were assessed with validated tools. Results Most content focused on raising awareness or sharing patient stories (46%); only 9% was created by physicians. 90% of content was low-to-moderate quality and most was understandable, but actionability was 0%. Of the 30% of content including objective information, 40% contained significant misinformation. Most posts had comments offering social support. Conclusions Instagram is a source of understandable PCa content and social support; however, information was poorly actionable and had some misinformation.

Automated summary

The study found that content related to prostate cancer on Instagram mainly focuses on raising awareness or sharing patient stories, with a small percentage created by physicians. Most content is of low to moderate quality, understandable, but poorly actionable. Some content contains significant misinformation, but most posts have comments offering social support.