YouTuber Joey Graceffa criticized for spreading misinformation on skin cancer treatment

Joey accused of spreading misinformation after considering natural remedies and radiation treatment for his cancer.

YouTuber Joey Graceffa has sparked controversy following his recent video revealing his skin cancer diagnosis and his exploration of various treatment options.

In a video posted on 8 August 2024, Graceffa shared his experience and expressed concerns about undergoing surgery, but the focus of the backlash has been on his discussion of alternative treatments.

In the video, Graceffa disclosed his anxiety about the surgical procedure needed to address his skin cancer. “As she was explaining the process, I was passing out on the phone. I was like ‘How long does that take?’, to which she replied, ‘It is going to be like three hours.’ So if I passed out just from 40 seconds of the biopsy, how am I going to last 45 minutes?”

This led him to consider other options, including natural remedies such as castor oil and aloe vera. “I’m looking at other options right now. There’s some natural treatments that I’ve read about. Like castor oil, there’s aloe vera,” he said.

@joeygraceffa

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Criticism has emerged on X, formerly Twitter, and Reddit, where users have expressed concern that Graceffa's promotion of these unverified treatments could mislead his followers.

Many argue that discussing natural remedies and suggesting alternatives without scientific backing may contribute to the spread of misinformation about effective skin cancer treatments.

Did not expect to open tiktok to
1. Joey graceffa
2. Him saying he has skin cancer right out the gate
3. Him saying he wants to use aloe Vera and castor oil to treat it

— 𝙰𝚕𝚕𝚞𝚛𝚊 (@Sweet_Po1son) August 9, 2024

Graceffa clarified that he is “not a doctor” but said that he is “really considering radiation treatment” as a more conventional option. Despite this, critics argue that his mention of unproven remedies detracts from the seriousness of medical treatment and may cause confusion among viewers seeking reliable information.

The online star, who runs four popular YouTube channels with over 2.9 billion views combined, concluded his video by noting that he remains “very level-headed” about his diagnosis. He acknowledged the cancer as basal cell carcinoma, which he described as a more treatable form.