Faculty Collaboration Sheds Light on Cancer Misinformation Among Older Adults

The Department of Communication is proud to spotlight a recent collaboration between two of our esteemed faculty members, Dr. Andy King and Dr. Ben Lyons, who co-authored an article for Huntsman Cancer Institute titled "Ask an Expert: Cancer Misinformation and Aging Populations."

This timely piece explores how misinformation—especially around cancer treatment and prevention—affects older adults, a population particularly vulnerable to health myths and misleading online claims. Dr. King, who specializes in health communication, and Dr. Lyons, an expert in misinformation and media trust, bring together their complementary research areas to tackle this complex issue.

In the article, they explain why older adults may be more susceptible to misinformation, how digital literacy plays a role, and what can be done to promote reliable cancer information. Their insights are especially relevant as both the aging population and online health content continue to grow.

To read the full article and learn more about their findings and recommendations, visit the Huntsman Cancer Institute website:
Ask an Expert: Cancer Misinformation and Aging Populations