Government authorities in the United States are gunning for companies peddling bogus cancer cures.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused some companies of making false statements regarding their alleged cancer cures - five companies stand accused by the FTC while another six have apparently reached some form of settlement.
The FTC charged the companies with making unsupported claims that their products cured or treated one or more types of cancer and in each case, the company is charged with violating the FTC Act, which bars deceptive claims.
Some complaints allege that the companies also falsely touted clinical or scientific proof for their products.
Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection says there is no credible scientific evidence that any of the products marketed by these companies can prevent, cure, or treat cancer of any kind.
In all cases, the companies will be required to notify consumers who purchased the products challenged in the complaints, that there was little or no scientific evidence demonstrating the products’ effectiveness for treating or curing cancer and must also urge these customers to consult with their doctors about the products.
This move is part of a campaign to inform and warn consumers about the bogus cures for several diseases.
In its list of the bogus cancer cures, the FTC included essiac teas and other herbal mixtures, laetrile, black salve, mushroom extracts and also a "systematized program of thinking good thoughts."
Among the companies caught by the FTC with the bogus claims of cancer curing were:-
Ni-Gen Nutrition, Westberry Enterprises, Jim Clark's All Natural Cancer Therapy of Louisville, Omega Supply of San Diego, Herbs for Cancer, Daniel Chapter One, Gemtronics, Bioque Technologies, Holly A. Bacon, Premium-essiac-tea-4less and the Native Essence Herb Company.
The companies who settled the dispute with the agency agreed to pay restitution ranging from $9,000 to $250,000 and will also be prohibited from selling or disclosing their consumer lists to others.
The products include essiac teas and other herbal mixtures, laetrile, black salve (a corrosive ointment), and mushroom extracts.
Parnes says many of these products are scams and the last thing a person needs in a battle against cancer, is a scam.