Unsupported Anticancer Supplement Beliefs and the Propagation of AI-Generated Health Information: a Cross-sectional Study in Japan.

Authors

Mingxin Liu, Tsuyoshi Okuhara, Hiroko Okada, Emi Furukawa, Takahiro Kiuchi

Published in

Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education. Oct 31, 2026. Epub Oct 31, 2026.

Abstract

Unsupported anticancer supplement beliefs may inform priorities for cancer education. This cross-sectional study examined associations among these beliefs, supplement purchase/use intentions, trust in artificial intelligence (AI)-generated health information, and intentions to share such information. We analyzed baseline data from an online trial conducted in Japan in April 2026 among 939 adults aged 18-64 years with generative AI experience and no personal history of cancer. Multivariable linear regressions and partial correlations adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and relevant covariates; analyses involving education included 919 participants. Mean belief, purchase/use intention, and sharing intention scores were 2.75, 2.73, and 2.59, respectively, on six-point scales. All four variables were positively intercorrelated (all p < .001), most strongly for unsupported beliefs and purchase/use intention (partial r = .634). Stronger unsupported beliefs and greater AI trust were independently associated with sharing intention (standardized β = 0.311 and 0.197, respectively; both p < .001). Lower education and self-rated supplement knowledge were associated with stronger unsupported beliefs. Higher self-reported communicative and critical health literacy was associated with greater purchase/use intention, trust, and sharing intention. More frequent generative AI use was associated with greater trust; younger age and female sex were associated with greater sharing intention. Cancer education for the general public should address unsupported supplement beliefs, calibrated trust in AI, and verification before sharing. These cross-sectional findings concern self-reported beliefs and intentions and do not establish causal relationships.

PMID:
42963512
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 31 Oct 2026.

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