Addressing Circulation of Guideline-Discordant Information to Promote Optimal Prostate Cancer Care

Prostate cancer information shared through popular social networks such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok is widely viewed but guideline-discordant information is common. This has important implications for informed decision-making and quality of life. Exposure to guideline-discordant information is an understudied and potentially modifiable contributor to negative outcomes in prostate cancer. We will address this research gap through three key approaches: (1) We will examine the most common types of guideline-discordant information being shared about prostate cancer through social media in English and Spanish. (2) We will also explore how high-risk men evaluate online prostate cancer information. (3) We will conduct a randomized trial to test the efficacy of digital skills interventions among U.S. adults. Our multi-disciplinary team is well-suited to lead this study with expertise in prostate cancer clinical care, biostatistics, epidemiology, and social media. Our advisory board includes multi-disciplinary patients, experts and community leaders, who will be involved in all stages of the research design and in the public dissemination of results. The expected outcomes of this study will advance the field and promote health by studying ways to address guideline-discordant information about prostate cancer.