Cancer Education in the Age of TikTok and Social Media: Opportunity or Misinformation?

Abstract Social media has become a central space where people encounter, interpret, and share cancer-related information. Platforms such as TikTok offer significant opportunities for cancer education by delivering short, accessible, and emotionally engaging messages to wide audiences. However, the same features that enhance their reach also increase the risk of misinformation. Cancer-related content often blends personal experiences, commercial interests, emotional storytelling, and unverified health claims, making it difficult for the public to critically evaluate what they see. This challenge is especially pronounced when patients, caregivers, and families seek information during moments of fear, uncertainty, or complex treatment decision-making. This commentary argues that cancer education must adapt to the social media era rather than dismiss these platforms altogether. Health professionals and educators should recognize TikTok and similar platforms not only as sources of potential risk but also as important venues for public engagement, digital health literacy, and trust-building. Effective cancer education in this evolving landscape requires a balance of accuracy, empathy, accessibility, and active participation.