A doctor has pleaded with cancer patients not be duped by the many alternative therapies on the market, claiming she has seen far too many people die having not followed through with chemotherapy.
Oncologist Ranjana Srivasta shared her honest opinion in a column she penned for The Guardian, in which she begged people not to fall for the advertisements which claim that natural therapies such as essential oils and life-saving juice can cure cancer.
Speaking openly about her personal experiences in the industry, the doctor said, more than ever before, patients believe they can forego the usual course of treatment and miraculously become cancer-free.
“I hear about the man who uses waves, the woman who boosts immunity and the seller of pure herbs,” she explained. “They are the healers – 100 per cent convincing, 100 per cent certified by a gaggle of secret Facebook users.
“Thanks to the rise of social media, the ability to filter out conflicting viewpoints and bevy of supporters for every outrageous idea, these people arrive convinced about their theories.”
Srivasta went on to note the shocking amount of people, including some of her own former and current cancer patients, who whole-heartedly believe alternative therapies are the way to go.
She cited a survey commissioned by the American Society of Clinical Oncology which found that 40 per cent of the 4,000 people interviewed “somewhat” or “strongly” agreed that alternative therapies alone could cure cancer. On top of that almost half of those under the age of 53 believed the alternative approach would completely destroy any cancerous cells. On top of that, more than a third of caregivers for cancer patients also believed alternative therapies would do the trick.
This is the complete opposite view to that help by qualified medical professional Srivasta who claimed that in no way do enzymes, waves and magnets cure cancer with these options only leaving people out of pocket and in a far worse condition.
“How do I know?” she added. “Because dying patients relate these stories to me in a last attempt to prevent their fellow patients being duped.”
With many alternative therapies available to cancer patients it is no surprise that many Aussies have given them a go, including much-loved actress Olivia Newton-John.
In 2017, the singer-songwriter’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi spoke out about Olivia’s use of cannabis oil to help in her fight against breast cancer. Lattanzi owns a legal marijuana farm in Oregon with fiancé James Driskill which was reportedly started with a loan from her mum for a “fresh start”.
The 33-year-old took to Instagram at the time to let fans know that her mum would use “other natural healing remedies” plus modern medicine in addition to cannabis oil to help her battle the deadly disease.
Lattanzi’s optimistic post read: “I want to thank all of you for your love and support. My mom (sic) and best friend is going to be fine! Cancer is the disease of our generation and it is part of my and my mother’s quest to beat this insidious monster. We both love you all, and anyone fighting this disease you can beat it. Look for natural remedies as well as what modern medicine can offer. My mom is so powerful she will beat this in no time. All my love to you. And I wish you health wealth and happiness.”
Just last year Olivia revealed she was secretly diagnosed with cancer for a second time six years ago, but chose to keep it secret from her fans until now. However she is now continuing her fight against the disease for the third time.
The Grease star famously beat breast cancer in the early 1990s, before revealing in 2017 that she had been diagnosed with the disease again – this time in her spine.
However, while it was reported to be her second diagnosis at the time, she revealed in an emotional TV interview on Channel 7’s Sunday Night last year that it’s actually the third time she’s been diagnosed – having secretly overcome breast cancer again six years ago.
“I thought ‘I don’t really need to share this, it’s my life and something I wanted to keep to myself’,” she told reporter Alex Cullen.
Asked if she’s scared, she said: “No, I don’t go there.” She added: “I believe I will win over it, that’s my goal.”