What do doctors say to 'alternative therapists' when a patient dies? Nothing. We never talk

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/what-do-doctors-say-to-alternative-therapists-when-a-patient-dies-nothing-we-never-talk

Ranjana Srivastava
March 2, 2015

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Research shows that nearly 70% of cancer patients and a staggering 90% of patients enrolled in an early phase clinical trial use alternative therapies. We now know that many of these therapies are not only unhelpful but are downright dangerous. Herbs and supplements can interact with chemotherapy and reduce its efficacy, a real drawback when therapy is given with curative intent.

Canadian researchers found that of the 44 bottles of herbs they tested, a full third were outright substitutions – the plant advertised on the bottle was simply not there. Genetic fingerprinting reveals that many popular supplements are filled with powdered rice and weeds.

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In 10 years of being an oncologist I have witnessed some devastating consequences when practitioners recommend “alternative” therapies.

The emaciated breast cancer patient who was told to present to emergency because there was nothing else her alternative provider could do to help her walk. Neither could we. She died of spinal cord compression after vigorous manipulation of her back.

The man whose finances and prostate cancer had both spiralled out of control by the time he forked out $50,000 dollars on vitamin infusions. He regretted forgoing the proven benefit of chemotherapy.

There was the man whose wife discovered the extent of his natural therapy debt only after he died and was forced to sell the house.

There were the children who quit studying to help pay for their father’s imported exotic herbs sourced from the wild.

These stories are not unique – every oncologist tells a tale of financial and psychological ruin, experienced by the family long after the patient dies.

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