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If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Timeworn, but trustworthy advice. It’s especially true of products that claim to cure cancer.
The marketers who advertise these products play on patients’ emotions. They take advantage of people at their most vulnerable – when they’re unwell and overwhelmed by the demands of illness and treatment.
It’s normal to hope for the perfect treatment, even for a miracle cure. And it’s especially enticing when ads speak of natural remedies. But natural doesn’t mean safe or effective when it comes to cancer treatment. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), products that are labeled natural – like black salve, essiac tea or laetrile – can be more than ineffective; they can be potentially dangerous.
The FTC, whose mission is to prevent deceptive business practices, provides helpful information to inform consumers about cancer treatment scams. And the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an organization devoted to protecting and promoting health, offers insights about online cancer fraud and a list of fake cancer “cures” you should avoid.
According to the FTC and FDA, the following are red flags that often indicate an advertised product is a fraud:
This video from the FTC explains it best. Use a healthy dose of skepticism when you see ads for cancer cures and ALWAYS talk to your doctor before trying or buying such products.