Portugese Session - Challenging Cancer Misinformation in Digital Spaces

Cancer is projected to reach crisis levels worldwide, with an alarming rise in new cases expected by 2050. Yet, while science continues to improve early detection and treatment, online misinformation threatens to undermine these advances. Millions of people are exposed daily to misleading cancer-related content that shapes public perception and can put lives at risk. This session will present findings from a large-scale study by the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), which analyzed more than 27,000 Spanish-language posts across X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram in early 2025. The research highlights how false narratives gain traction, the tactics that drive engagement, and how these harmful messages spread across platforms. Participants will gain insights into how misinformation affects Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking communities, and what strategies can help ensure access to accurate, life-saving information.