Thursday, May 31, 2018

YET ANOTHER BREAST CANCER PATIENT FALLS FOR THE NATURAL REMEDY PROMISE…

There is a lot of information that is being circulated in social media about natural cures for cancer. They passionately talk about the doctors and scientists hiding lifesaving nature cures from patients in cahoots with the big bad Pharma industry to promote allopathic drugs.
The self-styled experts claim that everything from lemon juice to baking soda, to vitamin B17 to green juice can cure cancer. Despite the fact that there are no scientific data to substantiate these claims, even educated and intelligent young people buy into and promote cancer misinformation. The idea of nature cure from baking soda to soursop is being sold with such conviction quoting the so-called researchers and catchy headlines that scream “It's Time for The Truth to be Told About Breast Cancer...”
While there are plenty of ‘miracle cures’ out there, the fact is that there’s very little evidence that any of them actually work. Attractively made videos and websites are not scientific evidence and effectiveness of any cancer treatment. They seduce cancer patients into abandoning their best shot at survival in favour of these unproven remedies. When it comes to cancer, thinking that food and natural measures are a good alternative to “pharma and allopathic medical greed” can be a deadly choice.
Some of these miracle cure specialists see about 100 to 150 cancer patients a day spending barely few minutes with each patient. They also treat all types of cancers from head to foot. It amazes me that someone who asks me a lot of questions would submit themselves without any doubts to the miracle makers. I also wonder how the miracle makers master various aspects of cancer biology and pathology that are heterogeneous not only in different organ systems but also within the same organ. Like breast cancer is not one disease. All breast cancers cannot be treated alike.
We only hear of success stories and not the failures. The so called success stories of cure by natural remedies may have confounding factors about the medical diagnosis, the stage, aggressiveness of the disease etc. Often it turns out that people have had conventional cancer treatments like surgery and yet this may not be mentioned. Many low-grade tumours have an indolent course and may do well anyway. They end up attributing the survival to alternative treatments.
As a breast cancer surgeon, I must express my concern and outrage here.
It is tempting to turn to Dr. Google when faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer. There are millions of pages out there with all sorts of information. During the stressful and distressing time of dealing with the diagnosis, the misinformation that comes through these portals are dangerous, gives them false hope and puts people at risk of losing time, money and the advantage of appropriate treatment at the right time.
Allopathy is not perfect. But right now, it comes with the best evidence that we have. Researchers are constantly working on improving the treatment modalities. Discuss the side effects and benefits clearly with your doctor, understand the risk versus benefits of conventional breast cancer treatment and complement recovery process with holistic health.
Mail us @ chennaibreastcenter@gmail.com

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