TikTok Content Creators Use Role-Playing to Share Hereditary Cancer Stories, Influencing Health Communication

A recent study has examined how individuals with hereditary cancer conditions utilize TikTok to share their experiences and genetic information. The research, published in Social Media + Society, specifically focused on two hereditary cancer syndromes: BRCA-related breast cancer and Lynch Syndrome. These genetic conditions significantly increase the risk of developing certain cancers during a person's lifetime.

Researchers analyzed 100 TikTok videos using qualitative content analysis techniques. They found that content creators often perform different roles, adopting characters or personas that reflect their experiences, attitudes, and support networks. These roles include the celebrator, who highlights positive aspects and achievements; the defender, who advocates for awareness and protection; and the mentor, offering guidance and advice to others in similar situations.

Dr. Hannah Ditchfield and Dr. Stefania Vicari from the University of Sheffield explained that these role performances shape the type of information and support viewers encounter when exploring hereditary cancer content on social media platforms like TikTok. Their findings shed light on how health-related identity and narratives are constructed and shared in digital spaces.

This research contributes to understanding the evolving landscape of cancer communication via social media, especially on platforms like TikTok, which are driven more by complex algorithms than traditional social connection. The study suggests that while TikTok's format may appear less focused on interpersonal interaction, it still plays a significant role in forming health identities and disseminating information about hereditary cancers.

Overall, the study emphasizes that identity performance through role-playing is a crucial aspect of how individuals seek, share, and interpret hereditary cancer information online. It highlights the importance of recognizing these digital identities in health communication, providing insight into how social media influences health behaviors and perceptions.

For more details, see the full study by Hannah Ditchfield et al., titled "Identity Roles and Sociality on TikTok: Performance in Hereditary Cancer Content" (2025).

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-tiktok-creators-roles-hereditary-cancer.html