Medical Student-Led Digital and Community Health Literacy as a Multimodal Cancer Prevention Strategy in Southern Brazil

PURPOSE Health misinformation and limited access to evidence-based cancer education remain major barriers to cancer prevention and early diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate a medical student-led multimodal cancer prevention strategy developed by the Cancer League of the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre to improve cancer literacy, combat misinformation, and expand preventive oncology outreach. METHODS An observational, descriptive analysis was conducted on an ongoing university extension initiative integrating digital education through Instagram (@ligacancerufscpa) with longitudinal community outreach activities. Educational materials were developed by medical students through structured literature review based on WHO, ASCO, International Agency for Research on Cancer, and INCA guidelines, followed by faculty review. Recent social media performance metrics (April-May 2025) were analyzed, alongside cumulative institutional outreach activities, including public cancer awareness campaigns, women’s health education, screening advocacy, preventive counseling, and community engagement events conducted throughout the project’s broader operational history. RESULTS The initiative maintains an active digital platform with 3,024 followers, 421 educational posts, and approximately 43,000 monthly views, generating 374 interactions and 99 new followers over the analyzed 30-day period. Twenty-nine educational posts were published during this interval alone. Across its broader extension activities, the project has also conducted multiple community-based prevention initiatives, including breast cancer awareness campaigns, public educational workshops, and health promotion events. This multimodal strategy successfully expanded access to evidence-based oncology information, strengthened public cancer literacy, and enhanced participating medical students’ competencies in scientific communication, leadership, and public health advocacy. CONCLUSION Medical student-led multimodal cancer prevention initiatives combining digital education with sustained community outreach represent scalable, low-cost strategies for improving cancer literacy and reducing misinformation in resource-limited settings. University extension programs can meaningfully strengthen public oncology prevention efforts while preparing future physicians for leadership in global cancer prevention and health equity.