Nobody wants a cancer diagnosis, and just want to return to normalcy. It is easy to be drawn to promises of a cure. Dr. Matzo shows you how to spot a fraud. Dr. Jeanna Ford joins us again to also share her experiences as we discuss the role of holistic medicine and how to stay safe.
In this Episode:
- 04:07 – Kentucky Road Trip: The Origin of Little Green Men
- 06:06 – Recipe of the Week: Kentucky Benedictine Spread
- 06:44 – Disaster Preparedness & Documents You Should Secure
- 11:07 – Miracle Cures and Cancer
- 16:23 – How to Be a Critical Consumer – Spot a Fraud
- 29:01 – Dr Jeanna Ford on Miracle Cures and Holistic Medicine
Typically, cancer is managed with chemotherapy and radiation, which may buy people with metastatic cancer time, but not offer a cure. But cure is what people want and there are plenty of fraudulent products that offer exactly that. The snake-oil salesmen of old have adapted into the deceptive, high-tech marketers of today who prey on people’s desires for solutions to incurable diagnoses. This week we talk about how to identify products whose only guarantee is that you will have less money in your bank account in the end.
Where there is a Desperation, You’ll Find Scams
Scammers sell their products using tactics that target specific populations by the web and email, but also by word-of-mouth, newspapers, magazines, TV, and direct mail. Health fraud scams run rampant on social media sites and closed messaging apps, like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Cancer patients are especially targeted with these promises due to their desperate hope for a cure.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a health product is fraudulent if it is deceptively promoted as being effective against a disease or health condition, but not scientifically proven safe and effective for that purpose.
Marianne shares six things to look for to make you suspicious of a potentially fraudulent product.
Complementary vs Cure
Marianne and our guest Dr. Ford talked about how providers welcome their patients embracing healthy lifestyles and expect some form of integrative/complementary medicine. They do need patients to share with them what they are taking, because even “harmless” herbal supplements can interact with other cancer treatment and other medications. They caution when a purported therapy requires quitting proven “standard of care” treatments in leu of a promised cure.
See the resource below to help your conversation with your provider. They truly want you to stay as comfortable and happy as long as you can, making the healthiest choices possible, but not sacrificing quality of life for it. So yes, sometimes when fighting cancer getting those calories in that hamburger are more important than the benefits of that kale smoothie!
Our Guest: Dr. Jeanna Ford DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FCNS
Dr. Jeanna Ford is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the field of palliative care and hospice. Dr. Ford is a national speaker, published author, and focuses her clinical expertise in the area of cultural sensitivity at the end of life with an emphasis on indigenous populations. She currently works as the Clinic Director and APRN for the University of New Mexico Hospital’s outpatient palliative care program as well as serves as faculty for the Center to Advance Palliative Care and for the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.
Dr. Ford shares her perspective from her work in hospice and palliative care, including Native American and Hispanic communities.
What Things Should You Have in a Safe Place if Disaster Strikes?
We have watched the devastation caused by wildfires in western United States, tornadoes in the middle of the country, and hurricanes in the east. Have you given thought to what you should have in a safe place just in case?
Charlie shared a good list for all of us, also shared below. Feel free to print off and go through your household. Be sure to listen to his segment for more ideas and considerations.
Example Keep-Safe Checklist:
Road Trip – Kentucky
Well, now that you’re wondering about our curious episode art, here you are to the reason! We’re taking a road trip to Kentucky for our story and recipe of the week. We tell the tale of how the characterization of aliens includes big eyes, big head, and green skin. The full story just gets better! Read it on this History Channel page: How the ‘Little Green Men’ Phenomenon Began on a Kentucky Farm
Our recipe of the week also comes from the state: Kentucky Benedictine spread.
Related Episodes:
- S5E45: Why Does Cancer Exist? Empower Yourself With Understanding
- S5E46: “Why Do I Have Cancer?” Kismet, Chastisement or Coincidence?
- S5E47: MythBusters – Cancer Edition; Clarifying Common Cancer Myths & Misconceptions
- S5E48: How to Read a CT Scan Report – Learn the Sections Relevant to Your Diagnosis
References:
- Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions – NCI
- Great Bites in the Bluegrass State: What to Eat in Kentucky
- How the ‘Little Green Men’ Phenomenon Began on a Kentucky Farm | HISTORY
- ExThera Claimed Its Device Could Cure Cancer. But Patients Died. – The New York Times
- Book review of Cured: The Life-Changing Science of Spontaneous Healing by Jeffrey Rediger – The Washington Post
- 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don’t Fall for Health Fraud Scams | FDA
- A History Of ‘Snake Oil Salesmen’ : Code Switch : NPR
- Miracle cures: Online conspiracy theories are creating a new age of unproven medical treatments | AP News
Resources:
- Cancer Types | This Is Living With Cancer | Official Site
- Cancer Resources – Chemocare
- Cancer Information & Resources | Understand Cancer Together®
- Who We Are – Stupid Cancer
- Cancer Guide: 2023 PRCG Summer.indd
- What is a healthy diet? | Cancer Research UK
- Does cutting out red meat help with cancer survival? – ARU
- Sorting fact from fiction: A guide to spotting health misinformation: A guide to spotting health misinformation
Submitting Adverse Event Reports to the FDA
Consumers experiencing adverse reactions to a product should submit voluntary adverse event reports to the FDA using:
- Report Online: MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form
- Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet Report a Problem > Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet or in Spanish: Report a Problem > Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet
- Consumer Reporting Form FDA 3500B. Follow the instructions on the form to either fax or mail it in for submission. For help filling out the form, see MedWatchLearn.
- Call FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report by telephone.
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/
Everyone Dies: and yes, it is normal!
Everyone Dies (and yes, it is normal) is a story about a young boy named Jax who finds something special on the beach where he and his grandpa Pops are enjoying a wonderful day. Pops helps Jax understand that death is a normal part of life. This book provides an age appropriate, non-scary, comfortable way to introduce the important topic of mortality to a preschool child. Its simple explanation will last a lifetime. Autographed copies for sale at: www.everyonediesthebook.com. Also available at Amazon
Mourning Jewelry
We offer a way to memorialize your loved one or treasured pet with a piece of handmade jewelry. When people comment on it and the wearer can say for example “I received this when my mother died” which opens the conversation about this loss. All our jewelry is made with semi-precious stones and beads, vintage beads, and pearls. You can choose between earrings or bracelets and the color family. Learn More
