Just a few of my thoughts on #WorldCancerDay2022
When I started this project back in 2018, one of the motivating factors behind promoting fact-based health education in the community was the misinformation out there about cancer treatment and cancer prevention.
I have stories – stories that just can’t be told here because they aren’t my stories to tell – of patients who have delayed recommended conventional prevention, screenings, follow-ups, surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatments because they had been fed misinformation and/or promised a miracles by exploitative alternative practitioners. It robbed patients and families of time and money that, often, they already had too little of.
RTÉ did an incredible piece on this back in 2018 “Desperate Decisions”, which is still worth a watch. https://www.rte.ie/news/player/2018/1109/10962083-prime-time-desperate-decisions/ In 2018, Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill was introduced to the Dáil and debated in 2019. It lapsed with dissolution of Dáil and Seanad in January 2020. A good discussion on how important that Bill iscould have been here (it’s okay if you don’t remember – alot has happend in last 2 years): https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/the-vulnerable-must-be-protected-from-bogus-cancer-cures-1.3869314
It is particularly unfortunate that the Bill lapsed at the time it did – just before a new health crisis was to create a new target. It would have set an important precedent. Those who preyed on desperate cancer patients now also prey on desperate patients suffering post-covid condition. As I see #LongCovid patients now, they tell me the same stories of paying money for unnecessary “tests” and treatments – and, even more sadly, it’s too often the exact same ineffective and expensive tests/treatments that have been sold to cancer patients. I suspect that this is so prevalent not only because of lack of robust regulation/legislation but also because there are those out there who have identified a gap in the market: poor health education, a health service that is more reactive rather than preventative in the service provided due to underresourcing, and shortage of qualified doctors and allied health professionals to give patients and families the adequate time needed to discuss options and treatments. And Covid has, unfortunately, shown us how pervasive and damaging medical misinformation has become.
Here are my quick take-aways:
1. 30-50% of cancers are preventative with health lifestyle choices. None of these require the purchase of any supplement, membership, or equipment.
2. Nutrition is key, and the best advice is from an INDI/CORU registered dietitain. The Anti-Cancer Cookbook is solidly evidence-based AND not-for-profit. It’s a great place to start. https://www.breakthroughcancerresearch.ie/product/the-anti-cancer-cookbook/
3. 5% of cancers are now vaccine preventable, but we have been slow to roll out the HPV vaccine and no subsidy for catch-up programme. There is a short of doctors leading to fewer discussions with those who are vaccine hesitant and deserve time to discuss their concerns and get correct information. #FactsNotFears
4. All that stuff that you already know – reduce alcohol, stop smoking, get regular physical activity, regular sleep – it really works. Easy to say, hard to do. Ask for help.
What about complementary medicine? Here is are the guidelines I give my own patients when it comes up: The treatment should be comfortably affordable, completely safe, non-exploitative (you have not been misled in anyway), you feel it is effective or symptom-relieving, and the practitioner encourages transparency and for you to continue to work It with your conventional medicine team. Always be upfront with your doctor about herbs (they can interact with drugs), supplements (can affect kidney or liver), and complementary treatments. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the evidence and risks. Really feeling conflicted about your options or diagnosis? Your doctor can usually refer you for a second opinion to another expert doctor (honestly, we are rarely offended if you ask and usually very happy to do so – we usually welcome another colleague’s insight.)
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