When researching treatments, you will likely come across advertisements for products or services that claim to treat or cure cancer. There are several types of such alternative treatments advertised, especially on the Internet. They all claim to help. However, before investing time and money on any of them, it’s important to evaluate the claims carefully, check them out using the resources given in this article, and talk with your doctor. Products that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cancer are unlikely to help, and some may cause harm and interfere with chemotherapy and other treatments prescribed by your doctor. Alternative treatments are unproven approaches promoted for use in place of conventional cancer treatments.

Steps to approval

Conventional treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, have been scientifically tested and found to be safe and effective. In addition, the FDA must approve new drugs or devices used to treat cancer. For a drug or treatment to be approved for cancer, the FDA requires a rigorous process of testing in clinical trials (research studies involving people). These results are usually published in medical journals that use a rigorous, peer-review process to review the article. Learn more about drug development and approval.

Examples of fraud

Whenever an advertiser claims that a product that has not been approved by the FDA to treat cancer will, in fact, treat or cure cancer, the advertiser is committing fraud. Here are some examples:

The Hoxsey Herbal Treatment. This product consists of two types of herbal mixtures that are taken by mouth and applied to the skin.
The claim: It removes toxins from the body, strengthens the immune system, and helps the body get rid of tumors.
The facts: There is no scientific evidence that this product is effective in treating cancer, and no clinical trials have been published in medical journals. If taken in large doses, it can burn the skin and cause diarrhea, nausea, rashes, and vomiting. In some cases, it causes cancer to grow.

Black salves. These are pastes composed of different ingredients that are applied to skin cancers or over the sites of tumors inside the body.
The claim: The salves are said to kill cancer cells and “draw out” cancer from beneath the skin.
The facts: There is no scientific evidence that black salves are effective in treating cancer, and no clinical trials have been published in medical journals. Black salves can burn and scar the skin.

Shark cartilage. This tissue is extracted from the heads and fins of sharks. It is usually taken by mouth.
The claim: Shark cartilage contains proteins that stop angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels for tumors to grow.
The facts: Clinical trials of shark cartilage to date have not shown any benefit in treating cancer. It can cause nausea, and, in high doses, hypercalcemia (increased levels of calcium in the blood). Read about a study that found shark cartilage extract does not extend lives in people with lung cancer.

Gerson therapy. This plan consists of a vegetarian diet with raw, fresh, organic vegetable and fruit juice consumed every hour during the day, along with coffee enemas.
The claim: It cleanses and detoxifies the body by correcting deficiencies and imbalances of nutrients and enzymes, so that the body can “fight off” the cancer.
The facts: There is no scientific evidence that this therapy is effective in treating cancer. It can cause flu-like symptoms and may cause a tumor to grow and become painful. Coffee enemas may cause infections, dehydration, constipation, colitis (inflammation of the colon), electrolyte imbalances, and possibly death.

Coral calcium. This is calcium that supposedly is extracted from coral reefs in the oceans.
The claim: It “neutralizes” toxins in the body and can reverse and cure all forms of cancer.
The facts: No scientific evidence that coral calcium is effective in treating cancer. Coral often contains traces of non-beneficial substances like manganese and uranium.

Essiac tea. This is a mixture of herbs blended together to make a tea.
The claim: It strengthens the immune system, cleanses the blood, promotes cell repair, restores energy levels, and detoxifies the body. Earlier promoters claimed that the tea changes tumors into normal tissue.
The facts: There is no scientific evidence that this tea is effective in treating cancer, and no clinical trials have been published in medical journals. Essiac tea may cause constipation, diarrhea, headaches, low blood sugar, nausea, vomiting, and kidney and liver damage. In some cases when injected, it can cause serious complications, and even death.

Other examples of alternative treatments that claim to treat cancer are products that include the following ingredients: bloodroot (a plant), cesium (an element), ellagic acid (a compound from raspberries, strawberries, and walnuts), Cat’s claw (a plant), amygdalin (also called laetrile, a naturally occurring substance in nuts, plants, and some fruits) and various mushrooms. Get a list from the FDA of fake cancer “cures” to avoid.

What to watch out for

The FDA and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) say that the following are signs that an advertised “remedy” is a fraud:

• If the ad says it will cure any type of cancer. No single treatment will work for everyone or for every type of cancer.
  
  
• If the ad uses “personal testimonies” that claim the product works. These people may be paid actors, but even if they aren’t, personal stories are unreliable evidence of the product’s effectiveness.
  
  
• If the ad offers a money-back guarantee. While this may be true, it’s not proof of effectiveness.
  
  
• If the wording in the ad sounds technical. The advertiser may expect you to be impressed, but it’s not proof that the product will do what it says.
  
  
• If the ad claims that the product is a “natural” remedy. There are many “natural” substances that are harmful to people, such as poison ivy, so this claim doesn’t mean it will help or that it won’t harm you.
  
  
• If the ad states that supplies are limited and/or you have to pay in advance.

Other phrases to watch out for are “scientific breakthrough,” “miraculous cure,” “secret ingredient” or “ancient remedy.” These terms may sound impressive, but advertisers can easily use these terms without offering any proof.

If you see a deceptive ad, or think you have been misled by one for a product that claims to treat or cure cancer, find out how to file a complaint. By doing so, you may be helping to protect other people with cancer from a fraudulent product.

Complementary treatments

While alternative treatments are not backed by any evidence that they work against cancer, some treatments used along with chemotherapy and other conventional treatments may help improve symptoms. A treatment that is used in addition to a conventional cancer treatment is called a complementary therapy (also called integrative medicine). For instance, if someone takes an herbal supplement to help reduce nausea during chemotherapy, the supplement is being used as a complementary therapy, along with proper cancer treatment. Here are some other examples of complementary treatments that may help:

• Ginger can ease nausea caused by chemotherapy.
  
  
• Ginseng may reduce fatigue.
  
  
• Adding flaxseed to the diet may delay prostate cancer growth.
  
  
• Meditation and relaxation therapy can reduce anxiety and nausea.
  
  
• Yoga improves quality of life during radiation therapy for breast cancer.
  
  
• Acupuncture can treat many physical and emotional symptoms.

Other examples of complementary therapies that may help you feel better include massage, tai chi, and music and art therapy.

Avoid taking any herbs, vitamin products, or other “therapies” by mouth. Many will interfere with the effectiveness of cancer treatments and reduce chances of doing well. Learn more about complementary and alternative treatments and dietary and herbal supplements.

Ask your doctor first

The most important thing to do when considering any complementary or alternative cancer treatment is to talk with your doctor first. Get this list of questions to ask your doctor about complementary and alternative treatments.

More Information

Evaluating Cancer Information on the Internet

Medical News: How to Know If It’s Accurate

Additional Resources

FTC: Cure-ious? Ask

FDA: Beware of Online Cancer Fraud

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products

National Cancer Institute: Office of Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Quackwatch.org

Last Updated: November 02, 2009