Understanding cancer misinformation and finding trusted information
Seen something about cancer online that's left you confused or worried? You're not alone, and we're here to help.
Why cancer misinformation matters
Every day, thousands of people can find misleading information about cancer online, often without realising. Particularly on 'Dr Google', social media and AI chat tools. Sometimes people share this information because they are trying to help.
Here is what we know:
- More than half of UK adults (58%) believe something about cancer that isn't true.
- Wrong information can increase worry and delay people seeing their doctor or getting treatment.
- Misleading claims often spread quickly on social media and it affects people of all ages.
Source: Over half a million young adults think cancer only really happens in old age
With more than 400,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK, clear and trusted information matters more than ever.
Watch: PIF video about the impact of misinformation
1 in 10 people have been harmed by health misinformation.
This short film from PIF (Patient Information Forum) shows the impact of misinformation.
How we make sure our information is trustworthy
All of Macmillan’s cancer information is reviewed by medical experts and meets strict quality standards.
We're PIF TICK certified which means our health information has been carefully checked and approved. This means we can give you clear, evidence-based information you can trust.
Our cancer statistics fact sheet gives you easy to understand facts which are backed by evidence.
Common cancer worries explained
You might have heard some of these things about cancer. Let's look at what's really true.
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Does sugar 'feed' cancer?
This is one of the most common worries people have. There is no evidence that shows sugar directly increases the risk of cancer or encourages it to grow.
Read more about diet myths and cancer risk.
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Does ivermectin treat cancer?
On the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, film star Mel Gibson spoke of friends who took the anti-parasitic drugs ivermectin and fenbendazole. But so far ivermectin has not been shown to be effective at treating cancer.
Read Professor Richard Simcock’s article Cancer and ivermectin: What people with cancer need to know.
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Can mistletoe treat cancer?
You might have seen this shared online or heard about it from others. Currently there is no reliable evidence to show that mistletoe will treat cancer. Using mistletoe as an alternative to cancer treatments is not advisable.
Not sure what the difference is between alternative therapies and complementary therapies is?
Alternative therapies are treatments used instead of conventional cancer treatments. They may claim to treat or even cure cancer. But there is no scientific proof to support these claims. Alternative therapies are also known as alternative medicine.
Complementary therapies are treatments that people may use with, or as well as, conventional medical treatments. Complementary therapies should not claim that they can treat or cure cancer.
Learn more about complementary therapies.
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Can I have beauty and skincare treatments after cancer treatment?
If you're considering starting or resuming beauty or skincare treatments after cancer treatment, we recommend speaking with your healthcare team first.
They can advise on whether a treatment is safe given your medical history, medications, and cancer care.
When choosing a practitioner, book a consultation beforehand and ask about their qualifications and experience.
We also offer support through specially trained No7 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors, who provide face-to-face guidance on caring for your skin, nails, and hair.
Read our article about beauty treatments after cancer for more detail.
How to check cancer information
Before trusting online health information, use this simple checklist:
- Is the source credible? Use sources such as the NHS, charities like Macmillan, or recognised health organisations.
- Is there evidence? Reliable content links to research or explains how it’s reviewed.
- Beware of miracle cures. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Who wrote it and why? Influencers, forums and AI-generated overviews are not always medically accurate
- Is it up to date? Check review dates as cancer information changes. We have review dates on our cancer information so you can see when the content was last updated.
- AI-generated? AI can sound confident even when incorrect. Ask what sources were used. Check if the information relates to UK healthcare as often American websites are used in AI summaries and AI-generated chat.
- Check for quality marks Logos like the PIF TICK show that information meets a recognised standard.
Watch: 6 tips on how to find reliable health information online.
How we can help you
You don’t have to go through confusing information alone. We're here to help you find the facts and answer your questions.
We offer:
Trusted information Everything we share is checked by specialist cancer doctors and nurses.Our information is produced by a team of cancer information development nurses and editors who are experienced in producing accurate and accessible information. We have more information about the team who write our information.
Information in different languages and formatsWe have cancer information in different languages and accessible formats including audio, easy read and British Sign Language.
Real experiences
We have stories from people affected by cancer.
If you are worried or need to talkGet in touch with our Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. You can talk to a cancer information nurse specialist to help you to understand information about diagnosis and treatment.
You can also email us or use online chat (click on the 'chat to us' button on our website).Talk to your GP or healthcare team
They can give you advice that's right for your situation.
Real stories: how people deal with misinformation
How people used Macmillan’s support in 2025
Last year, people affected by cancer got support from Macmillan in different ways. Some you might not know about.
Source: Macmillan annual report
Online Community
Support services
Macmillan Telephone Buddies
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan's Cancer Information and Development team and our Digital Content Editor team. Learn more about how we produce our cancer information.
Accurate information helps you make informed choices. Rely on expert sources such as Macmillan Cancer Support, the NHS and your own healthcare team.
Date reviewed
Reviewed: December 2025 | Next review: December 2028