Doctors Remain Trusted Sources for Cancer Info in Post-Pandemic Era

Trust in physicians as a source of information about cancer remained consistently high at 95.7% during the period prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no change in trust levels recorded up until 2024. This finding was reported by Dr. Todd Burus and colleagues from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, who analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS).

However, trust in government health agencies that provide cancer information declined during both the late-pandemic (71.3%) and post-pandemic (71.7%) periods, compared to the 75.9% trust observed prior to the pandemic. Additionally, trust in charitable organizations and family or friends also decreased during the late-pandemic period (from 51.8% to 47.9% and from 58.2% to 52.6%, respectively).

During the pandemic, the rapid change in guidance and the proliferation of misinformation led to reduced trust in both traditional health authorities and nontraditional messengers. The findings align with recent reports indicating that patients' cancer-related information-seeking behavior and adherence to cancer screening guidelines may be influenced by the trust they place in various sources.

Effective communication in oncology requires not only correcting misinformation but also understanding the reasons behind individuals' reliance on certain sources, acknowledging uncertainty, and helping patients integrate new evidence without dismissing their beliefs.