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Show Cancer Fears Are i a Reality ) When tl Hagnosis is cancer, thi rd strikes a note of fear that is often overwhelming, sometimes irrational. At this vulnerable time, people may forcsake iifesaving therapy for "miracle" cures. Cancer quackery is as prevalent in Utah as anywhere, but it is somewhat more visible because existing laws do not effectively regulate quackery practices, says Dr. Arthur D. Broom, University of Utah professor and chairman of medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy. Broom has spent 20 years designing, synthesizing and testing cancer drugs. "Many people will do anything to avoid facing cancer," says Broom. "They'll try any miracle treatment, no matter what it costs or where they must go to get It. Cancer quackery is an infuriating practice because it does not cure cancer." According to Broom, quack remedies rely heavily on testimonials. No scientific evidence exists to support cure claims and very few peopole giving testimonials have had biopsy-proven cancer. "It's easy to cure a disease that has never There are about 100 kinds of cancer, all of which must be managed individually. Except for the unusual occupational cancers, most causes are not well understood. "We're learning much more about how to cure cancer," says Broom. "A little over 40 percent of cancer patients are being cured and the nubmer is increasing steadily. But one cannot minimize the fact that many people who get cancer die of it," . he says. , Quack cures range - from the bizarre "grape cure" to the most current laetrile remedy, with a wide spectrum of products in between, he says. Remedies that may seem plausible at first are invariably shown to be worthless. Chaparral tea, once popular in Utah, Is an example of quackery that began with an authentic, but ultimately erroneous ( assumption, he says. Broom relates the case of I the elderly man who was ( operated on for a known . malignant melanoma. Rather than undergo ' father surgery, he went I home, put his affairs In 1 order and tried an old i Indian remedy , chaparral tea. A year ( later there was no sign of the disease. Excited about the plant's prospects, researchers found that the plant had been described as a potent antitumor agent. Samples were obtained and identified by a botanis, and extracts were made. Pure compounds and derivatives were tested extensively in animals and patients. "We did everything under the sun," says Broom. "It was absolutely ineffective." The case, described at a scientific meeting, was repoi led in the press and sales of the product soared. "People were making a killing off plants that grow wild over much of the southwestern United States," he points out. "The disease ultimately reiumeu in me gentleman and he died of the malanoma, a sequence of events not unusual with that type of cancer." Laetrile is an "interesting phenomenon," says Broom. Instead of endorsements by key public figures, laetrile began as a "freedom of choice" issue. The substance is derived from apricot pits, and the rationale for its use is that cancer cells contain an enzyme that breaks down the product into cyanide, which kills tumor cells but not normal cells. "It's a rather elaborate and lovely rationale," says Broom. "The trouble is it doesn't work, because there are no differences in the levels of those enzymes between normal and tumor cells." Broom says there is no medical conspiracy to withhold laetrile from the public. Physicians also die of cancer. Enormous amounts of time and money have been spent testing laetrile exactly as proponents have outlined, with no positive results, he emphasizes. Such tests also raise ethical questions about using a "drug" devoid of value. The laetrile issue has always revolved around the freedom to take whatever medication is desired for well-being, adds Broom. "One should not have to die of cancer to exercise one's freedom of choice," he says. "Choice implies knowledge of the consequences and most victims of quackery do not know the consequences." He is equally concerned about the "grossly excessive" prices charged for laetrile compared to manufacturing costs markups of a thousand percent or more are common and the product's purity. "Since it is still illegal to deal wth laetrile in interstate commerce, it's smuggled into states in which it is not prepared," he explains. "Quality control is nonexistent. Some batches seized and sampled have shown only 50 percent purity. What Is contained in the other 50 percent is anyone's guess, but it's not l.kely to be good for you." Megadoses of vitamin C another popular cancer treatment are being studied to see if there is any nutiilional benefit to cancer patients. Broom, the Utah State Medical Association or the American Cancer Society will provide in formation on quick practices and unproven remedies upon request. |