A social media account has sparked concern among Malaysians after claiming that chemotherapy is the “biggest scam” in medicine while appearing to promote alternative health products.
Screenshots of the videos have since circulated on Threads, where many users, including those who said they worked in healthcare, criticised the claims and warned about the potential consequences of discouraging cancer patients from seeking medical treatment.
‘Don’t undergo chemo before meeting us’
In one TikTok video, the account claimed that chemotherapy could turn someone who was healthy and able to walk into a patient who was sick and bedridden.
Chemotherapy is the biggest scam in the medical world,” the text in the video read.
It then urged viewers not to undergo chemotherapy before seeking treatment from the centre featured in the videos.
Other posts on the same account appeared to make similar claims about cancer treatment, with one urging parents of children with cancer to seek treatment at the centre.
Another video claimed that cancer “does not kill you, but chemotherapy does”.
The account also appeared to promote several spray products advertised for a wide range of health conditions.
Screenshots of the advertisements showed claims relating to cancer, kidney problems, thyroid conditions, heart health, high blood pressure, migraines and other illnesses.
One of the spray products was listed for RM132 on an online shopping platform at the time the screenshot was taken.
Malaysians question the claims
The posts quickly attracted criticism after screenshots were shared on Threads.
One commenter pointed out that cancer patients typically undergo medical examinations and tests before a diagnosis is confirmed.
“The difficult part of making the diagnosis, doing the biopsy and carrying out tests to confirm the cancer wasn’t done by them.
“They don’t agree with the treatment, but suddenly they can agree with the diagnosis?” the commenter questioned.
Another commenter sarcastically remarked that doctors could apparently retire early if treating illnesses was as simple as using a spray.
Others expressed concern that vulnerable patients, particularly elderly people and those undergoing cancer treatment, could believe such claims and delay seeking proper medical care.
Several users also questioned whether action could be taken against sellers making medical claims without supporting evidence.
What do Malaysian health authorities say?
According to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency’s guidelines for health supplements, claims made for health supplements must be supported by appropriate evidence and must not be misleading.
The Health Ministry has also previously warned the public about health product advertisements making “miracle cure” claims, including claims that products can cure cancer.
Under the Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1956, the ministry said advertisements involving medicines and medicinal products are regulated by the Medicines Advertisements Board. Approved advertisements are required to carry an approval serial number. More information can be found on the Health Ministry’s Pharmaceutical Services Programme website.
Meanwhile, chemotherapy is an established cancer treatment which uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth.
According to the US National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy can be used to cure certain cancers, reduce the chance of cancer returning, slow its growth or ease symptoms depending on the patient’s condition and type of cancer.
Chemotherapy can also cause side effects as the treatment may affect healthy cells that grow quickly. However, the type and severity of side effects differ depending on the drugs used and the individual patient.
Patients who have concerns about chemotherapy or its side effects should discuss them with their treating doctors before stopping, delaying or replacing prescribed cancer treatment.
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