Some advocates believe that chemotherapy is not a proven treatment for cancer. They may cite valid scientific studies to support their approach such as “The China Study” by T. Colin Campbell. (T. Colin Campbell does not advocate against traditional treatment, by the way. He is also a very reputable and qualified nutrition researcher.)
Do you feel unqualified advocates should be able to speak out against chemotherapy?
Should their free speech rights be protected on this topic?
Best Answer: I'm not quite sure what you mean by advocates. If you mean should people be able to express their views on chemotherapy, of course they should - and as far as I'm aware they are able to, whatever their views.It would be a sorry state of affairs if only qualified people could speak on this topic. What, after all, would be the 'qualifications' they needed?I was once a vocal advocate of alternative treatments myself. What changed my position was being diagnosed with an advanced aggressive cancer, and realising the percentage by which chemotherapy would increase my survival chances. I concluded that for me, in my specific situation, chemotherapy was the way to go. Had the percentage been small, I would have almost certainly refused chemotherapy, as several people I know who have been in that situation have done.As it turned out, after four of the recommended six sessions of chemotherapy I decided to stop, as the depression that was my main side effect was too much. My oncologist supported me, saying that the harm the depression could do might well outweigh the benefits of the chemotherapy.Never, either when I was first determined to refuse chemo or later when I decided to discontinue, did I come under any pressure; it was clear that the decision was mine.As it happens, as part of my decision-making, I asked every medical professional I encountered (including my GP, my surgeon, and oncologists) whether they would have chemotherapy should they develop cancer. Not one gave an unqualified 'yes'; all said they didn't know - some immediately, some after consideration.It was the oncologist I saw who said 'I don't know; but if I had YOUR cancer I would, and if my mother had your cancer I would encourage her to have it' who in the end made up my mind; the same oncologist, incidentally who supported my choice to discontinue.If you're talking specifically about the YA Cancer section, then people are free to offer their opinions. It concerns me very much when certain users answer questions from people diagnosed with cancer by saying ALL chemotherapy is a bad thing, is never effective, and kills all who take it, especially when they make an unequivocal claim that a certain course of action, such as a specific diet, WILL cure that cancer. I willl argue against that position, but they are free to hold those views. The only time I will report them is should they insult and libel other answerers, invariably people who have experience of cancer, by claiming that they are lying about having had cancer treatment and that their motive is money. One such user has even accused individuals of being 'drug pushers'.In the end, it's down to each person to make the decision they feel is right when it comes to their cancer treatment.
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5 Comments
Sounds questionable.
If chemotherapy is not a “proven treatment for cancer,” than do they suggest doing nothing about the cancer? There is simply no other route to turn too unless they’d like to suggest a cure themselves. Oh wait, they aren’t MDs, DOs, or in any cancer research fields, guess they can’t.
Tons of people get their cancer sent into remission by chemotherapy ever year, so these ignorant uninformed advocates shouldn’t have any say whatsoever in these matters.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by advocates. If you mean should people be able to express their views on chemotherapy, of course they should – and as far as I’m aware they are able to, whatever their views.
It would be a sorry state of affairs if only qualified people could speak on this topic. What, after all, would be the ‘qualifications’ they needed?
I was once a vocal advocate of alternative treatments myself. What changed my position was being diagnosed with an advanced aggressive cancer, and realising the percentage by which chemotherapy would increase my survival chances. I concluded that for me, in my specific situation, chemotherapy was the way to go. Had the percentage been small, I would have almost certainly refused chemotherapy, as several people I know who have been in that situation have done.
As it turned out, after four of the recommended six sessions of chemotherapy I decided to stop, as the depression that was my main side effect was too much. My oncologist supported me, saying that the harm the depression could do might well outweigh the benefits of the chemotherapy.
Never, either when I was first determined to refuse chemo or later when I decided to discontinue, did I come under any pressure; it was clear that the decision was mine.
As it happens, as part of my decision-making, I asked every medical professional I encountered (including my GP, my surgeon, and oncologists) whether they would have chemotherapy should they develop cancer. Not one gave an unqualified ‘yes’; all said they didn’t know – some immediately, some after consideration.
It was the oncologist I saw who said ‘I don’t know; but if I had YOUR cancer I would, and if my mother had your cancer I would encourage her to have it’ who in the end made up my mind; the same oncologist, incidentally who supported my choice to discontinue.
If you’re talking specifically about the YA Cancer section, then people are free to offer their opinions. It concerns me very much when certain users answer questions from people diagnosed with cancer by saying ALL chemotherapy is a bad thing, is never effective, and kills all who take it, especially when they make an unequivocal claim that a certain course of action, such as a specific diet, WILL cure that cancer. I willl argue against that position, but they are free to hold those views. The only time I will report them is should they insult and libel other answerers, invariably people who have experience of cancer, by claiming that they are lying about having had cancer treatment and that their motive is money. One such user has even accused individuals of being ‘drug pushers’.
In the end, it’s down to each person to make the decision they feel is right when it comes to their cancer treatment.
I think they’re idiots. I have stage III colon cancer, and I had my first treatment Wednesday. I have an oncologist who is truly cutting edge, and he explained to me that even though I have a 60% chance of not having the cancer reoccur after surgery, the chemo will increase my odds to 75-78%. I’m increasing my odds of staying on this planet any way I know how, and taking chemo is one of them. I think even though they have the right to say what they want, these “advocates” are irresponsible and confusing people at a time when they need accurate information the most. A friend of mine has prostate cancer, and he has delayed treatment since June simply because he’s gotten so much differing information from so many different people that he doesn’t know who to listen to. If they want to encourage people to eat a certain way while undergoing treatment for cancer that’s one thing, but don’t discourage them from following a treatment that’s been proven to work.
Does “free speech” include telling lies that may get gullible patients killed? Of course not.