Macmillan Cancer Support — a charity group based in the United Kingdom — hired a nurse for the exclusive purpose of debunking inaccurate information regarding cancer treatment and diagnosis circulating the internet, according to a report from the Independent.
The nurse, Ellen McPake, will answer questions about cancer on the charity's website and social media platforms.
"As well as fantastic information and support, the web is full of unverified statistics, fake news and horror stories that can cause people unnecessary worry and distress," said Janice Preston, head of Macmillan in Scotland, according to the Independent. "We hope our new digital nurse will help people who want to find answers online. She will be there to answer questions from people across the U.K. about cancer and make sure they get the information they desperately need."
To highlight the kind of myths Ms. McPake will work to debunk, the charity pointed to a website claiming chemotherapy kills more people than cancer and another site listing baking soda as a cure for breast cancer.
"As more and more people seek information about their cancer online, we want them to know that charities like Macmillan are able to offer reliable health advice," said Ms. McPake, according to the Independent. "In my new role, I'm there to make sure people affected by cancer have a real person they can turn to online for information about their symptoms, cancer diagnosis and treatment."
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