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Mammograms in the media: a quality assessment of breast cancer screening videos on TikTok

  • 0Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, United States of America.
Clinical Imaging +

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January 11, 2026

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January 11, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Physician and clinic-created breast cancer screening videos on TikTok offer higher quality information than non-physician content. This highlights the need for reliable social media health education to improve public understanding of screening.

Area Of Science

  • Medical Informatics
  • Public Health Communication
  • Digital Health

Background

  • Social media platforms like TikTok are increasingly used for health information dissemination.
  • The quality and reliability of health content on these platforms, particularly for critical areas like cancer screening, require thorough evaluation.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To assess the quality and reliability of breast cancer screening information shared on TikTok.
  • To compare the quality scores of videos produced by physicians, non-physicians, and private clinics using the DISCERN tool.

Main Methods

  • A systematic search for #BreastCancerScreening videos on TikTok was performed.
  • 75 relevant videos were independently assessed by two reviewers using the DISCERN questionnaire.
  • Content creators were categorized, and statistical analyses, including Kruskal-Wallis tests, were conducted.

Main Results

  • Videos from physicians (mean DISCERN score 3.12) and private clinics (3.07) demonstrated higher quality than those from non-physicians (2.29).
  • Content focused on breast cancer imaging scored highest (3.14), while personal experience videos scored lowest (2.35).
  • Significant differences in DISCERN scores were observed across creator types (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

  • The quality of breast cancer screening information on TikTok is variable, with physician and clinic-generated content being more reliable.
  • The DISCERN tool measures clarity and comprehensiveness, not medical accuracy.
  • Enhancing the clarity and reliability of social media health content is crucial for public health literacy and informed screening decisions.

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