It is a sad thing that today scammers will prey on anyone. This is more true than ever with Cancer Fraud. There are 3 kinds of Cancer fraud we will be looking at today.
- Scammers who sell “cure all” treatments of cancer, that will not work. Snake oil salesman. People who prey on the desperation of cancer sufferers and their families. These scammers know these people will jump at anything that may help them, even if, in reality, the product does not work.
- Cancer Research scams. In reality a lot of research that is completed under the “Cancer Research” label is barely helpful at all. Researchers will attempt to put a spin on their research to get more funding. Many animal tests are completed that could be considered backwards and unhelpful. Money is the key here as it is for most scammers. The general public are lead to believe that their funds are going to valuable research.
- Scammers who lie about having cancer, or exaggerate their condition to get money and sympathy from their local community. These scammers may use email or letters to get victims, or may talk to their local community to get funding.
All of these scams are very hurtful and seem to be the lowest form of scamming. Let’s look at the first example first:
Cancer Treatment Scams
Fake cancer remedies are sold online and many people fall for these scams as they are so desperate for a cure. Here are some key phrases to look out for to ensure you don’t get caught out:
- “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”
- “Treat non melanoma skin cancers easily and safely”
One example of a fake cancer treatment that proved to be harmful was black salves. The salves are sold full of false promises, but essentially cause a lot of damage as they burn off layers of the skin. If you are looking for a natural cancer treatment do your research and talk to others. Maybe join a support group and consult your doctor.
Now let’s look at the second cancer fraud example:
Cancer Research Scam
“Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud and that the major cancer research organisations are derelict in their duties to the people who support them.” - Linus Pauling PhD (Two-time Nobel Prize winner).
Cancer is still increasing every year, despite the billions of dollars of the publics money given to cancer research. It is a well known fact that around 85-90% of cancer is preventable. Environmental causes of cancer include smoking, eating a diet heavy in animal proteins, alcohol, food additives and pollution. Although 85% of cancer is caused by environmental factors, only 10% of the National Cancer Institute’s money is given to environmental research. Less than 1% of their research is dedicated to nutrition studies and even that had to be forced upon them by the Cancer Act.
So why is this? As usual money comes into it. There is not nearly as much money to be made in cancer prevention than in cancer therapy. Cancer therapy is a billion dollar industry. A large portion of money donated to cancer research by the public is spent on animal research which has, since its inception, been widely condemned as a waste of time and resources.
Dr Irwin Bross, former director of one of the largest cancer research organisations said this, “The uselessness of most of the animal model studies is less well known. For example, the discovery of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of human cancer is widely-heralded as a triumph due to use of animal model systems. However, here again, these exaggerated claims are coming from or are endorsed by the same people who get the federal dollars for animal research. There is little, if any, factual evidence that would support these claims. Indeed, while conflicting animal results have often delayed and hampered advances in the war on cancer, they have never produced a single substantial advance either in the prevention or treatment of human cancer. For instance, practically all of the chemotherapeutic agents which are of value in the treatment of human cancer were found in a clinical context rather than in animal studies.”
Many times the animal experiments are incredibly cruel and unnecessary and simply another way to make money.
Not all cancer researchers are scammers. I am not saying that at all, but many are far more influenced by money than making progress in cancer research.
So what can you do about this?
The best thing to do when you are about to give to cancer research organisations is to do your research. Tell them you will not give to them unless they change their methods. Imagine the progress that could be made if making money was not such a focus. If they got rid of animal tests that would be a huge step. Some research organisation have already moved forward.
Click here for a list of humane and progressive research charities.
You can also find out about humane charities in other countries by checking out PETA.
So that brings us to the third type of cancer fraud:
Fake Cancer Sufferers
It is appalling to learn that some people use cancer as a way to steal from people. Some people have collected around $40,000 from their local community and have only spent around 3 days in jail as a consequence.
The thing with this kind of scam is that you can’t detect it. You can’t really ask someone to prove that they have cancer. It would be incredibly insensitive. Really the only thing you can do if you discover you have been a victim of this kind of fraud is to call the police.
If you receive an email, often from Nigeria, asking for money as the person is dying from cancer, it is almost certainly a scam. The fact that people would do this is disgusting. You should delete the email immediately.
Almost everyone has lost someone to cancer and knows just how painful it is and the kind of desperation you feel whilst hoping for a cure. It is shocking to think that people will sink this low for money, but hopefully if we all keep our wits about us, they won’t get any from us.
Stumble It!