bohemianwanderer – Cancer doctors are warning that a surge in online misinformation is leading patients to reject life-saving treatments. Some individuals are instead turning to unproven alternatives such as coffee enemas and raw juice diets. At the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) conference in Chicago, experts shared growing concern about the consequences. These choices are not only ineffective but also dangerous, with some patients dying or seeing their tumors grow due to delays in evidence-based care. Dr Fumiko Chino, a cancer researcher from MD Anderson Cancer Centre, presented findings showing that cancer misinformation has significantly worsened over the last ten years. With cancer diagnoses increasing worldwide, doctors believe misinformation is now a major public health threat.
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Trust in Experts Is Eroding Despite Support for Science
While most people still express trust in doctors, confusion remains high. Chino’s study found that more than half of respondents believed medical experts often contradicted each other. One in twenty said they had no trust in scientists when it came to cancer. This lack of trust is making it harder for medical professionals to communicate effectively with patients. “We’re losing the battle for communication,” Chino said. “We need to regain that battlefield.” Doctors emphasize that clarity, empathy, and better public engagement are needed to combat misinformation and restore faith in science-based medicine.
Natural Treatments Lure Patients to Risky Alternatives
Dr Julie Gralow, chief medical officer at Asco, shared that several of her patients sought natural treatment options after hearing about conventional therapies. They often found clinics—sometimes in countries like Mexico—that promised “all-natural” cancer cures. These typically included unproven methods such as caffeine colonics and vitamin C infusions. Gralow explained that instead of confronting patients harshly, she maintained a supportive approach to build trust. In some cases, patients returned after natural methods failed. Others never came back, with some dying within months. Her experience highlights the dangerous appeal of alternative therapies when misinformation spreads unchecked.
Social Media Fuels Fears and False Beliefs About Cancer
Retired breast surgeon Dr Liz O’Riordan, a cancer survivor herself, regularly responds to messages from concerned individuals online. She noted that social media is full of unfounded claims—about dairy, bras, deodorants, or miracle foods. Many of her followers ask whether they should stop eating certain foods or if supplements like mushrooms and CBD oil can cure cancer. O’Riordan encourages more doctors to engage online, but acknowledges that creating content takes significant time and effort. Unlike influencers promising quick cures, evidence-based voices struggle to gain traction without massive followings.
Experts Call for Greater Public Trust in Evidence-Based Care
Dr Richard Simcock of Macmillan Cancer Support called the rise in cancer misinformation “very worrying.” He described cases of young women refusing all proven treatments in favor of extreme diets. Prof Stephen Powis of NHS England urged the public to verify information through credible sources. He stressed that “miracle cures” found online are not only misleading but often harmful. As misinformation grows, experts agree that rebuilding trust in science and encouraging informed choices are critical steps in improving outcomes for cancer patients.
