It’s Complementary Archives

Spring / Summer 2009 – Quick Fix Frauds

Although medicines and devices to treat people with cancer must have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are marketed, there are still many individuals and companies who hawk bogus cancer treatments. And the internet makes iteasier for them than ever before. Because fraudulent information can travel around the web in an instant, the FDA is taking increased action to warn consumers about online cancer fraud.

“Anyone who suffers from cancer, or knows someone who does, understands the fear and desperation that can set in,” said Gary Coody, R.Ph, national health fraud coordinator and a consumer safety officer with the FDA Office of Regulatory Affairs. “There can be a great temptation to jump at anything that appears to offer a chance for a cure.”

According to Coody, many of these bogus treatments are offered as natural treatments or dietary supplements. Some are completely harmless but may cause indirect harm by delaying or interfering with proven, beneficial treatments. Others, like black salve that can leave terrible scars by burning off layers of skin, can prove to be very harmful.

The FDA says these phrases should be recognized as red flags:
“Treats all forms of cancer”
“Skin cancers disappear”
“Shrinks malignant tumors”
“Non‐toxic”
“Doesn’t make you sick”
“Avoid painful surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other conventional treatments.”

The FDA also offers these signs to detect health fraud:
• Statements that say the product is a quick and effective cure all or a diagnostic tool for a wide variety of ailments
• Suggestions that a product can treat or cure serious or incurable diseases
• Claims such as “scientific breakthrough, “miraculous cure,” secret ingredient” and “ancient remedy”
• Claims that the product is safe because it is “natural”
• Undocumented case histories or personal testimonials by consumers or doctors claiming amazing results
• Claims of limited availability and advance payment requirements
• Promises of no risk, money back guarantees
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has joined with the FDA to help people with cancer become more informed consumers. For more information, visit www.ftc.gov/curious.