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Friday, September 19, 2008

What should be the warnings

One might ask why the FTC is failing to warn consumers about the risks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer.

Or for that matter, educating women that the x-rays from the mammogram schedule is directly correlated with the increasing rate of breast cancer and it is included as a cause of this dreaded disease.

Both radiation exposure and chemotherapy lead to a weakened immune system and a higher risk of more cancer. Additionally it is a known fact that the real cure rate on current mainstream medicine's cancer care is 1-2%.

Perhaps the write of the article might look up the herbs that were used to help sure Patrick Kennedy and his Uncle Jack's Harvard MD of cancer: the same as Essiac tea.

Maybe if we could count on factual reporting, looking at both sides of the issue, the public would be more informed.

I guess the propaganda machine is in high gear again.
FTC warns consumers about bogus cancer cures By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer
Thu Sep 18, 2008

The Federal Trade Commission charged five companies with making false and misleading claims for cancer cures and said Thursday that it has reached settlements with six others. "As long as products have been sold there has been somebody out there selling snake oil to consumers," said Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection.

She said the agency, along with the Food and Drug Administration and Canadian authorities, is launching a consumer education campaign warning about bogus claims for cures.

"There is no credible scientific evidence that any of the products marketed by these companies can prevent, cure, or treat cancer of any kind," said Parnes.

The products the companies marketed include essiac teas and other herbal mixtures, laetrile, black salve — a corrosive ointment — and mushroom extracts.

Richard Jaffe, a Houston attorney who represents Native Essence Herb Company — one of those named by the FTC — argues that the government is trying to censor his client.

The company sells herbs over the internet and advises people that some herbs have a historical use for treatment of cancer and other medical conditions, he said. That is a truthful claim, he said, adding that because an herb was used by ancient Chinese or native Americans doesn't mean it works, "which most people understand."

In addition the agency wants to block reports on trials in other parts of the world, he said, because they might imply a claim.

"In our view it's a battle between the right to speak and the government's censorship," Jaffe said.

Douglas Stearn of the FDA said his agency is concerned that people may forgo effective cancer treatments when choosing these products. In addition, he said, some of these unproven products may have dangerous interactions with other drugs.

"We would urge folks to talk to their doctors," said Stearn.

Parnes said more than 100 warning letters were sent out and many advertisers dropped or changed their claims.

Of the complaints resolved by settlements, she said companies paid restitution ranging from $9,000 to $250,000.

The remaining five complaints of false and deceptive advertising will go before administrative law judges, she said.

Those cases are Omega Supply, San Diego, Calif.; Native Essence Herb Company, El Prado, N.M.; Daniel Chapter One, Portsmouth, R.I.; Gemtronics, Inc., Franklin, N.C., and Herbs for Cancer, Surprise, Ariz.

Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press.

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