Employers urged to tackle cancer misinformation as campaign highlights growing confusion

“But we also need to recognise that cancer is an area where people can feel frightened, overwhelmed or desperate for answers.

“As a former oncology dietitian, I know how difficult it can be for people to separate evidence-based nutrition advice from claims that sound convincing but are not clinically appropriate.

“This becomes even more challenging in cancer, where people are often looking for reassurance, control and practical steps they can take.

“Nutrition and supplements are a particularly difficult area because so much of the content people see online sounds credible, personal or hopeful.

“But when that information is inaccurate, exaggerated or not based on evidence, it can distract people from the actions that are proven to make a difference.

“Workplaces have a real opportunity to provide trusted, evidence-based cancer education in a way that feels accessible, relevant and engaging.

“This is not about placing responsibility on employees. It is about giving people better access to credible information and specialist support.”

Perci Health said misinformation continued to affect people after diagnosis. Its clinical data showed dietitians accounted for 28% of all appointments, making them the second most accessed service after psychologists.

Misinformation or myth-debunking featured in 92% of nutrition consultations, with questions around supplements, restrictive diets and nutrition during and after cancer treatment among the most common topics raised.

As part of the campaign, WCRF has launched its TRUST Test, encouraging people to assess health information by considering whether it is transparent, realistic, evidence-based, supported by qualified experts and safe to follow.

Rachel White, specialist cancer dietitian at Perci Health, said: “Cancer nutrition is one of the areas where misinformation can spread very quickly, particularly online.

“People are often told that certain foods, supplements or restrictive diets can prevent cancer, treat cancer or ‘starve’ cancer, but these claims are rarely that simple and can be misleading.

“Good nutrition advice should help people feel informed and supported, not blamed or overwhelmed.

“For cancer prevention, we need to focus on the evidence around sustainable lifestyle factors such as eating a balanced diet, including fibre-rich foods, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol and being physically active.

“For people living with or beyond cancer, the advice may be very different depending on their diagnosis, treatment, symptoms and wider health needs.

“That is why access to specialist cancer nutrition support matters. It helps people understand what is relevant to them, what is backed by evidence and what they should be cautious about.”

Perci Health is calling on employers, insurers and employee benefits providers to review workforce health strategies and increase access to evidence-based cancer prevention information, cancer risk assessments, screening guidance and specialist clinical support.

McCabe added: “Employees are already searching for answers about cancer risk, nutrition, screening and symptoms. The problem is that too many of them are finding those answers in the wrong places.

“The employers who give their people access to trusted, specialist-led cancer support, across the full journey from prevention to recovering health, will see the difference in their people’s lives, and in their absence and claims data.”