Most people trust their doctor’s advice. However, in the United States, many doctors feel beholden to certain pharmaceutical companies or medical suppliers that help them pay their bills. This has led to a deteriorating trust between physicians and the general public. False reports of vaccine side effects and complications have only worsened the situation in many segments of the population. As a result, some patients are seeking alternative health treatments for their chronic conditions.
This is not to say that no alternative treatment is effective or beneficial. In fact, there are many non-traditional treatments that are still relatively new and are therefore not commonly implemented but are nonetheless effective. For example, stem cells for knees can help regenerate and repair lost cartilage more safely than traditional knee replacement surgery.
However, not every alternative treatment is as effective as stem cells. This is especially true when it comes to cancer treatments. Cancer is one of the most common killers in the world, but there are hundreds of different types of cancer that can affect individuals in unique ways. Therefore, “cure-all” alternative treatments simply don’t work.
Large cancer organizations have even gone on a campaign to teach people about the dangers of alternative cancer treatments. While there’s nothing wrong with getting a second (or third) opinion from a licensed healthcare professional, you should not be self-treating conditions like cancer. Many of these “cures” can be found online for far less money than traditional cancer treatment, making them seem like enticing opportunities.
Sadly, most (if not all) of these products and treatments are scams. Cancer is a complex condition that can’t be cured with a natural topical or vitamins. Instead, you will need to seek out a comprehensive treatment that is proven to be effective.
You may think that the vast majority of people know how to differentiate between legitimate medical advice and a scam. Though you’re technically right, nearly 40% of people in the United States alone think that their cancer can be cured through alternative therapies. This means that millions of Americans are actively avoiding real treatment because they believe in alternative treatments that have little or no scientific backing.
It’s important to note that cancer is not the only condition that attracts many people to alternative treatments and therapies. People seek alternative treatments for everything from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) to back injury. Oftentimes, when patients don’t like the existing treatment options offered by physicians, they look for alternatives online. After all, why undergo a risky or painful surgery when you could just take some pills you found from an online vendor?
However, it’s not always about seeking out different treatments. The reality is that healthcare in many countries is extraordinarily expensive. In other cases, treatment for certain conditions may not even be available in your city, country, or region. This can lead desperate people to look for low-cost alternatives that, more often than not, yield almost no results.
Despite their popularity, alternative health treatments are hit and miss. Those approved by health officials are great, but you should take caution with anything that has not undergone scientific testing. Hopefully, campaigns against medical misinformation will gain more traction, while legitimate alternative treatments will become more commonplace in health clinics around the world.
