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‘Optimistic’ Biden commits himself to hunting cancer again
President Joe Biden is ‘optimistic’ that progress can be made in the fight against cancer, and convenes a meeting in the Oval Office with a group of dual House and Senate members to bring about more action. (March 3)
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The claim: Johns Hopkins Hospital has issued a statement on recommendations to stop cancer
In a viral text message shared by social media users, it is alleged that Johns Hopkins Hospital has issued a “cancer update” to explain how the disease is spreading and alternative methods of treatment.
“AFTER YEARS OF MEMO CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY CANCER AND PUT IT OUT, JOHNS HOPKINS FINALLY BEGINS TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY,” begins a March 7 Facebook post.
The report alleges Johns Hopkins said cancer cells did not appear in standard tests until they had increased to several billion; cancer cells occur between six and more than ten times in a person’s lifetime; destroys a strong immune system and prevents cancer cells; cancer indicates nutritional deficiencies; and dietary changes and supplements will strengthen the immune system.
The text further claims that chemotherapy is poisoned with rapidly growing cancer cells while causing organ damage and that radiation damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
According to alleged recommendations of Johns Hopkins, these include cutting off sugar and milk, eating fish, fresh vegetables, juice, seeds and nuts and avoiding caffeine, according to the report.
USA TODAY contacted the Facebook user for comment.
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Mail is falsely attributed
In response to the allegations, Johns Hopkins Medicine released a statement stating that it had not released this information and that a similar email had been circulating since 2004.
“Johns Hopkins did not publish the information, which is often an email attachment, and we also endorse its contents,” reads the statement encouraging people to read information on its Web site or the National Cancer Institute Web site. “The email also contains an incorrect spelling of our institution as ‘John’ Hopkins; while the correct spelling is ‘Johns’ Hopkins.”
The statement noted that anonymous authors usually attribute their work to reputable research institutions in an effort to gain credibility, similar to the “Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins.”
“The crux of this viral email is that cancer therapies with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation do not work against the disease, and that people should rather choose a variety of dietary strategies,” Johns Hopkins Medicine wrote, adding that traditional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy is effective.
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Johns Hopkins exposes content in post
The various allegations included in the post, such as that everyone has cancer cells, a strong immune system that destroys cancer and takes supplements to prevent cancer, are confirmed by Johns Hopkins in his authentic statement as a pacifier.
Elizabeth Jaffee, co-director of cancer immunology and leading expert on cancer and the immune system at Johns Hopkins, said: “As far as cancer and the immune system are concerned, it is not a matter of strong or weak as the fictional report claims, but rather a matter of recognition. ‘
She added that the cancer cell disguised itself as a normal, healthy cell.
The director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, William Nelson, says that although supplements help mediate vitamin deficiencies, extra doses offer no extra benefits.
Nelson also said that chemotherapy and radiation therapy kill cancer cells with remarkable selectivity, and that the common side effects of hair loss and low blood counts are limited.
In the statement, experts further add that although a poor diet and obesity associated with a poor diet are a risk factor for the development of cancer, there is no evidence that certain foods can cause cancer to die or grow.
USA TODAY has previously unleashed the claims on cancer treatments and prevention.
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Our rating: false
A statement claiming to be a “cancer update” from Johns Hopkins University is FALSE, based on our research. Johns Hopkins Medicine said the agency was not related to the statement and confirmed that the recommendations included in the post were all fraudulent.
Our sources for fact checking:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, Visits March 6, “The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Update Email – It’s a Hoax!”
- USA TODAY, June 21, 2020, “Fact check: there is no evidence that asparagus can cure cancer, despite long-standing allegations”
- USA TODAY, June 23, 2020, “Fact Check: Food Exposure to Aluminum Does Not Cause Neural Problems or Cancer”
- USA TODAY, 11 November 2020, “Fact check: masks do not give you lung cancer; some masks do contain chemicals”
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