An online influencer posted a Spanish-language video on Facebook with a false claim that mammograms are not necessary or safe for women over 40. The video had 500,000+ views before it was removed. We asked adults in Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska if they had heard the claim in the last 7 days.
Overall, 1 in 8 (13%) had heard the claim. However, Hispanic respondents were 3.3 times more likely to hear this false claim than non-Hispanics (25% vs 8%). Worse yet, 78% of those who heard the claim believed it could be true.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. Mammograms are the most effective tool in early breast cancer detection and treatment and are recommended for women 40 and older at least once every two years (United States Preventive Services Task Force).
While it is important for all women to know the recommendations for breast cancer screening, this week’s poll suggests it may be especially important for Hispanic women. Community organizations serving Hispanic women can download the resources below to help spread accurate information.
This week’s report is based on 292 responses from panels of adult residents of St. Louis, MO, Omaha, NE and and Colorado surveyed from Saturday, November 25, to Monday, November 27, 2023. Explore these data and more at iHeardSTL, iHeard Omaha, and iHeard Colorado.
Download the graphics below to share about this topic.
English Resources
Suggested caption:
An online influencer posted a Spanish-language video on Facebook with a false claim that mammograms are not necessary for women over 40, viewed over 500,000 times before it was removed. Overall, 1 in 8 panelists from three states (13%) heard this false claim. Hispanic respondents were 3.4 times more likely to hear this false claim than non-Hispanics (25% vs 8%).
#iHeardSTL #Mammogram #BreastCancerScreening
Spanish Resources
Suggested caption:
Una influencer (una persona influyente en los medios) publicó un video en español en Facebook con una afirmación falsa de que las mamografías no son necesarias para las mujeres mayores de 40 años, visto más de 500,000 veces antes de que se eliminó. 1 de cada 8 panelistas encuestados de los tres estados (13%) escuchó esta afirmación falsa. Los encuestados hispanos tenían 3.4 veces más probabilidades de escuchar esta afirmación falsa que las personas no hispanas (25% contra 8%).
#iHeardSTL #Mamografía #DetecciónDeCáncerDeMama”