Mistrust and misinformation in a colorectal cancer care: rebuilding credibility in the digital age

Mistrust in healthcare and the rapid spread of misinformation have become critical challenges in contemporary colorectal cancer (CRC) care. While diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have advanced, many patients now arrive at clinical appointments influenced by online narratives that distort risk, undermine screening, and question the intentions of clinicians and health systems. These dynamics are particularly evident among younger adults, who represent a growing proportion of CRC diagnoses and often rely on social media as a primary source of health information. This commentary explores how mistrust and misinformation intersect across the CRC continuum, from symptom interpretation and screening decisions to treatment acceptance and survivorship. It highlights how emotionally persuasive digital content can overshadow evidence-based guidance and complicate shared decision-making and delaying timely care. Addressing these challenges requires a deliberate shift in clinical communication: acknowledging uncertainty, engaging with cultural and digital contexts, and adopting a proactive presence in public information spaces. Strengthening trust is now inseparable from delivering high-quality CRC care and represents a collective responsibility for clinicians, institutions, and professional societies.