Bogus breast cancer 'cures' offer Ohioans false hope

By Terri Dee

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, experts are educating the public about false alternative treatments for the disease.

A 2025 Ohio Department of Health report indicated between 2018 and 2022, Montgomery County represented almost 16% of all breast cancer cases. Statewide, 78 cases of breast cancer in men were reported. With expensive medical treatment a certainty, a patient may seek alternative cures they find online.

Dr. Liz O'Riordan, breast surgeon and a cancer survivor, said after a diagnosis, patients are often scared and willing to try anything. She explained scammers prey on desperation.

"There are lots and lots of people who are selling products, or cures, or clinics, and they have glowing testimonials. They promise you a miracle cure," O'Riordan observed. "It's clever marketing. They spend thousands and thousands trying to lure you in and we are sitting ducks."

The Ohio Department of Health reported nearly 11,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among Ohio women each year between 2017-2021.

Feelings of hopelessness can also steer a breast cancer patient to try alternative treatments. O'Riordan noted untrained individuals may recommend drinking herbal teas, juice detoxes or massages as natural ways to delay or prevent the disease.

O’Riordan added medical doctors are increasingly the target of blame if the patient's condition worsens.

"We're now flooded with people telling us that parasites are causing cancer and you need to do cleanses or you need to do a detox," O’Riordan explained. "And if the alternative treatments didn't work, we're not trying hard enough."

O’Riordan stressed medical information should not be obtained from anyone other than a doctor who knows your health situation and has knowledge of other existing medical conditions or prescriptions you may be taking.