Prostate Cancer Screening Videos on YouTube and TikTok: Quality, Misinformation, and Representation

What is it about?

This study aimed to evaluate the quality and racial/ethnic representation of prostate cancer screening videos on YouTube (YT) and TikTok (TK). The top 50 videos for each platform were retrieved and analyzed using validated criteria for quality of consumer health information. YT videos were found to be of higher quality, but both platforms lacked diversity, particularly for high-risk racial/ethnic cohorts. YT videos were also more likely to discuss racial/ethnic groups at high risk for prostate cancer. However, neither platform provided high-quality consumer health information, and both had significant levels of misinformation compared to screening guidelines. The study concludes that the widespread dissemination of subpar prostate cancer screening information on social media may contribute to disparities in screening, and recommends a collaborative effort from the medical community to create high-quality, representative content.

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Why is it important?

This research is important because it evaluates the quality and racial/ethnic representation, particularly of high-risk cohorts, of prostate cancer screening videos on YouTube (YT) and TikTok (TK). The study found that the overall quality of prostate cancer screening videos is higher on YT than on TK, but both platforms lacked representation of racial and ethnic diversity, particularly as it relates to high-risk cohorts for prostate cancer. The study also found that most YT videos and all TK videos had moderate to significant levels of misinformation when compared to American Urological Association and National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Key Takeaways: 1. The study found that the overall quality of prostate cancer screening videos is higher on YT than on TK. 2. Both platforms lacked representation of racial and ethnic diversity, particularly as it relates to high-risk cohorts for prostate cancer. 3. Most YT videos and all TK videos had moderate to significant levels of misinformation when compared to American Urological Association and National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. 4. The study is the first to evaluate prostate cancer screening content on TikTok and compare it to the content on YouTube.