FDA Warns Companies Selling False Cancer Cures

June 2008

Not all products claiming to cure, treat or prevent cancer are effective or safe to use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into the health risks of various teas, supplements, creams, and other products that have been falsely making such claims.

Agency officials said these claims are hazardous to patients because they could prevent someone from seeking appropriate treatment for cancer or could hurt a cancer patient by interfering with other drugs he or she is taking. Ingredients in the accused treatments include, among other things, bloodroot, shark cartilage, coral calcium, cesium, ellagic acid, and an assortment of mushrooms. All the products can be purchased on the Internet.

In response to the claims, the FDA sent 25 letters to the 23 domestic companies and two foreign individuals marketing the products, warning them to stop promoting and selling the drugs. Officials said that if the warnings are disregarded, the FDA could take action including product seizure and criminal prosecution.