Spot Fake Supplements

How To Spot Fake Cancer Drugs and Supplements

Recently, a global alert was issued by the World Health Organization, warning patients, doctors and pharmacies of a fake cancer drug circulating in Europe and the Americas. According to Nicole Kornspan, M.P.H., a consumer safety officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they’re rampant these days.

“Anyone who suffers from cancer, or knows someone who does, understands the fear and desperation that can set in,” says Kornspan. “There can be a great temptation to jump at anything that appears to offer a chance for a cure.”

Legitimate medical products such as drugs and devices intended to treat cancer must gain FDA approval or clearance before they are marketed and sold. The agency’s review process helps ensure that these products are safe and effective for their intended uses.

Nevertheless, it’s always possible to find someone or some company hawking bogus cancer “treatments,” which come in many forms, including pills, capsules, powders, creams, teas, oils, and treatment kits. Frequently advertised as “natural” treatments and often falsely labeled as dietary supplements, such products may appear harmless, but may cause harm by delaying or interfering with proven, beneficial treatments. Absent FDA approval or clearance for safety, they could also contain dangerous ingredients.

The use of herbs and supplements by people with cancer is common across the world, including in the United States and in less developed countries. In the Philippines, for example, there are lots of local media and social media pages that feature sponsored ads and questionable testimonials for dietary supplements claiming to cure a wide array of diseases, including cancer. The popularity of multi-level marketing or “networking” involving dietary supplements further adds to the problem.

local study done in a major cancer center in the Philippines showed that 89% of cancer patients had used herbal and dietary supplements at some point. Alarmingly, approximately 25% of these patients had delayed seeking standard cancer treatment, and almost 50% had combined dietary supplements with conventional cancer medications, which most patients didn’t tell their oncologists about.

According to an article written by Dr. Garcia Trinidad’s, some herbs and supplements may provide a false promise of a longer life or even a cure, and some people believe them to be safer, more natural options for those with cancer. This misperception is further reinforced by often well-meaning loved ones and other people with cancer who encourage the use of these herbs and supplements to treat the cancer. The media and the internet also play a crucial role in spreading problematic beliefs, myths, conspiracy theories, and other potentially dangerous misinformation around alternative treatments and cancer.

Some people with cancer may be drawn to try herbs and supplements because they can get them without a doctor’s prescription. But are they actually safe and effective for people with cancer? Here’s what to know.

Are herbs and supplements safe for people with cancer?

The efficacy and safety of many of these “natural” remedies like herbs and dietary supplements remain unproven in well-designed clinical trials with humans. Instead, data from studies done in the lab on cells or animals are often used to claim benefits for human use, but these results do not reliably apply to people. Many marketing claims are mostly based on unfounded user testimonials and personal anecdotes. Because of this, unproven herbs and supplements can have significant health risks, especially in people with cancer.

Herbs and dietary supplements are also regulated differently from conventional cancer drugs. While drugs must be tested to make sure they are effective and safe before entering the market, dietary supplements are regulated as food products and are considered safe until proven otherwise. This lack of scientific evidence and safety regulations can put many people with cancer in harm’s way.

Herbs and supplements can give false hope to people with cancer, leading them to delay or abandon conventional cancer treatments. This reduces their chance of cure or remission and may ultimately shorten how long they live. A 2018 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, for example, showed that people with cancer who were exclusively treated with alternative medicine were 2.5 times more likely to die compared to those who received conventional cancer treatments.

In addition, many herb and supplement regimens can be quite costly. It is not uncommon for people to have already wasted a lot of precious time and money on unproven regimens before eventually deciding to receive conventional treatment, and sometimes the cancer has advanced while conventional treatment was delayed.

It is important to remember that herbs and dietary supplements can have unwanted effects, as well, particularly when they are used incorrectly or when the product is mislabeled, contaminated, or substituted with another substance. These products can interact with other medications and lead to increased toxicity. For example, taking the herbal supplement ginkgo while also receiving a blood thinner like warfarin can increase a person’s risk of bleeding. There is also a growing body of evidence that antioxidant supplements may make chemotherapy and radiation therapy less effective.

Always talk to your doctor first before taking any herbs or supplements because “natural” does not necessarily mean safe.

How can I spot fake or fraudulent claims about herbs and supplements?

To avoid health fraud scams, it is important to learn how to investigate claims and recognize red flags. Suspicious phrases include “all natural,” “miracle cure,” “quick and painless cure,” or “1 product does it all.” Some scammers might use quasi-scientific jargon that does not really mean anything, such as “detoxifying” your body or “balancing” its chemistry. They might also claim to have cancer cure rates higher than those for traditional treatments, and they may try to minimize conventional cancer drugs by calling them “poison.” Scammers might also withhold important information by claiming to have a “secret ingredient” or a “proprietary blend” that they do not want to be copied or stolen by others.

Conspiracy theories involving “Big Pharma” working with the government or with doctors to hide a miracle cure are also common persuasion tactics to buy alternative treatments, particularly on social media. Other important red flags to pay attention to include discouraging following your doctor’s advice, unverifiable user testimonials, and clear multi-level marketing involvement. Always read herb and supplement labels and ask: what is the scientific evidence that this treatment is beneficial and safe? Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What to look out for!!!

While some fraudulent products claim to cure a variety of diseases and conditions, fraudulent cancer products often use a particular vocabulary. Consumers should recognize certain phrases as red flags, including:

  • Treats all forms of cancer
  • Miraculously kills cancer cells and tumors
  • Shrinks malignant tumors
  • Selectively kills cancer cells
  • More effective than chemotherapy
  • Attacks cancer cells, leaving healthy cells intact
  • Cures cancer

Despite the many challenges and complexities surrounding cancer treatment, remember that scientific evidence is better than anecdotal claims. Always talk with your doctor before trying any kind of new herb, supplement, or other alternative medicine.

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Dr. Oche Otorkpa PG Cert, MPH, PhD

Dr. Oche is a seasoned Public Health specialist who holds a post graduate certificate in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, an MPH, and a PhD both from Texila American University. He is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK. He authored two books: "The Unseen Terrorist," published by AuthorHouse UK, and "The Night Before I Killed Addiction."
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