According to a nationwide poll, as many as 1 out of every 4 Americans has tried a “quack” or “miracle” treatment. In 1990, the House Committee on Health and Long-Term Care estimated that fake medicines and cures bilk consumers out of as much as 10 billion dollars each year.
Another report, issued by the American Medical Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs in 1990, estimated that 4 to 5 billion dollars a year is spent on unapproved and questionable cancer tests and treatment. The report also estimated that as many as 30 percent of all cancer patients paid for and underwent “worthless” treatments. Experts say that if people seek “traditional” treatment as soon as possible after being diagnosed, they stand a good chance of recovery in many cases. But, if you succumb to a promise of a “miracle cure” before you get conventional treatment, you may be risking your life.
Here are several things you can do to protect yourself from medical charlatans and worthless products.
1) If you need a specialist, get a referral from your family doctor or some other physician you trust. You can also get reliable referrals from hospitals that are affiliated with medical schools. 2) Discuss any treatment you are considering with your family doctor before you make any decisions.
3) Contact your state medical board if you have any questions about a specific doctor. The medical board will be able to tell you if any charges have been made against the doctor in question.
4) Don’t buy any unconventional products before you check them out thoroughly with the nearest FDA office, local consumer agency, or Better Business Bureau.
5) Be suspicious of advertising and phrases such as “miracle cure”, “secret formula”, and “amazing health care breakthrough”.
6) Stay away from any doctor who prescribes expensive vitamins and supplements, or who sells them in his office.
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