Supplements not proven cancer cures

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG) 

CHIEF Gynecologist at the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby, Dr Mathias Sapuri, has echoed a warning on supplements and their claims to be cancer cures- warning the general public to not believe such claims.

His comments come following a statement made last month on various claims making their way into the media on herbal cures being sold on the streets in urban centers and queries raised by this paper on the confusion that is occurring with properly manufactured supplement products that claim healing properties that are circulating.

“Two things- the first is we have people who produce all sorts of mixtures and bottle in containers and selling them on the street,” Sapuri reiterated.

“My advice is that it is dangerous and you do not know what is in them. It may contain things that are toxic. It may contain substances that may be harboring bacteria and parasites that could cause problems.”

“It is important that the public must not use those because there is potential risk that you might do more harm than good.”

He pointed out that there are manufactured herbal products- with some claiming to be treatment for cancers.

“It is important to note that a lot of them are not treatment for cancers, but they can be used as supplement, which are important because they contain a lot of good things like minerals, vitamins substances that help with tissue and body recovery,” he explained.

“On that note yes you can use properly prepared herbal supplements. You do not need subscriptions to buy them, with many buying them off the counter and the streets.”

“But people cannot claim that they can used to treat diseases such as cancers so it can be misleading sometimes.”

He added the important to see a doctor to get a proper assessment and get first line treatment.

“If you want to take it along with your main line treatment than that is okay.”