It is #FAKE that 'hot pineapple water' cures cancer; false message has returned to circulate
A message claiming that 'hot pineapple water' can cure cancer has resurfaced on WhatsApp, but it has been debunked as false.
A misinformation campaign has sprung up regarding a supposed cancer cure involving 'hot pineapple water.' The message claims that this concoction can eradicate cancer cells and urges recipients to share it widely to save lives. It falsely attributes the claim to a fictional professor, Dr. Gilbert A. Kwok, to add a veneer of legitimacy. G1, a Brazilian news outlet, has fact-checked this claim and confirmed it to be false.
The spreading of this false information highlights a significant problem with the dissemination of health-related misinformation through social media platforms like WhatsApp. This particular instance reflects a well-known pattern where false health remedies gain traction, potentially putting ill-informed individuals at risk as they might opt for these unproven treatments over legitimate medical advice. Additionally, the circular nature of this message, marked as 'frequently forwarded,' demonstrates how quickly misinformation can spread when it taps into people's fears regarding serious illnesses like cancer.
G1's fact-check serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of verifying health information before sharing it. In a digital age where misinformation can spread at lightning speed, local media outlets play a vital role in combating falsehoods, ensuring that the public remains informed with accurate and reliable information regarding their health. It also underscores the need for more robust educational efforts surrounding health literacy, particularly on how to discern credible sources from dubious claims.