Online Cancer Fraud
Posted 8/18/2010
Posted in
It is easy to be tempted by advertising. Much of the time, it is relatively harmless--although that new pair of jeans probably won't make us look like the model in the picture, we might still like them. Advertising claims about cancer products, however, can be dangerous. When we are sick and scared, we are especially vulnerable and often desperate for something that might help. Reading claims about miraculous cures is very tempting. This has become a big problem with online ads reaching thousands of people who are easy targets to believe bogus information. Here is a quote from a warning from the FDA and then a link to read the whole thing. Read it.
"Anyone who suffers from cancer,
or knows someone who does, under-
stands the fear and desperation that
can set in," says Gary Coody, R.Ph.,
the National Health Fraud Coordi-
nator and a Consumer Safety Of?cer
with the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration's (FDA) Of?ce of Regulatory
Affairs. "There can be a great tempta-
tion to jump at anything that appears
to offer a chance for a cure."
Medicinal products and devices
intended to treat cancer must gain
FDA approval before they are mar-
keted. The agency's review process
helps ensure that these products are
safe and effective.
Nevertheless, it's always possible
to ?nd someone or some company
hawking bogus cancer "treatments."
Such "treatments" come in many
forms, including pills, tonics, and
creams. "They're frequently offered
as natural treatments and 'dietary
supplements,'" says Coody. Many
of these fraudulent cancer products
even appear completely harmless, but
may cause indirect harm by delaying
or interfering with proven, bene?cial
treatments.
http://tinyurl.com/285aldv
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