Health
Mammogram radiation levels aren’t comparable with nuclear bomb
An old video contains false claims about the amount of radiation in mammograms and the effect of screening on death rates. Read
Fact checks
Dr Fergus Brown
Clinical Fact Checker (former)
Fergus joined Full Fact in December 2022, as part of a new team tackling health misinformation. Before this, he had been working as a junior doctor, including a stint in Public Health, and as a Royal College of Psychiatrists Foundation Fellow.
Health
Gorillas’ diet doesn’t mean protein does not exist
A video on social media falsely claims that protein doesn’t exist, based on the idea that a gorilla’s diet doesn’t include any. But gorillas do eat a large amount of this essential nutrient. Read
Fact checks
Health
No evidence Covid-19 vaccines have killed thousands of children
An Instagram post wrongly claims that no “healthy” children have died from Covid-19, and that the vaccines have killed thousands. Read
Fact checks
Health
Eating bugs hasn’t been shown to cause cancer or lung disease
A social media post claims that eating insects causes disease. But the evidence it cites does not support this. Read
Fact checks
Health
Misleading claims about ginger and cancer
A Facebook post claiming ginger kills 91% of leukaemia cells omits some important details. Read
Fact checks
Health
Instagram post's claims about myocarditis in children not supported by official data
Social media claims that 1 in 40 children now get myocarditis are based on limited evidence—and ignore official evidence to the contrary. Read
Fact checks
Health
‘Vitamin B17’ from apricot seeds does not cure cancer
It’s been claimed on social media that amygdalin, a substance found in some nuts and seeds, kills cancer cells. The evidence for treating cancer is not there, and the substance can be harmful. Read
Fact checks
Health
Research on long term effects of childhood infections misreported
Research showing increased risk of premature death from respiratory conditions in people who had chest infections as children has been reported on by the Sun–but with several errors. Read
Fact checks
Health
The WHO is not working on vaccines to create ‘permanent sterility’
Clips from a 2009 TV show falsely claim the World Health Organisation wants to depopulate the world using vaccines. Read
Fact checks
Health
Kate Shemirani makes several false claims about childhood vaccines
Claims that children get almost 100 vaccines, that none are safe or effective, and that no vaccines have ever been trialled together are all false. Read
Fact checks
