Dr Oz: Natural Cancer Cure Cover-Up? Cell Phone Radiation Tumors?

Dr Oz: Health Conspiracies You Believe

Dr Oz tackled health conspiracy theories on the show. Do you believe that someone is out to get you or undermine your health? Since the truth is out there, Dr Oz decided to get to the bottom of things. Are authorities covering up a natural cancer cure? Do vaccines cause autism? Do cell phones cause brain cancer?

Dr Oz: Debunking Health Conspiracies

About half the population believes in conspiracy theories, and in the medical world, this can mean life and death. Those who think doctors or the medical establishment are up to something are less likely to seek treatment, which could have a negative impact on health.

CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen told Dr Oz that it’s human nature to be on alert for potential threats. However, conspiracy theories can easily take on a life of their own. Even Lisa Oz, Dr Oz’s wife, believes that some of these conspiracy theories are true.

Dr Oz: Natural Cancer Cure Cover-Up?

Dr Oz said that 37% of Americans believe the Food and Drug Administration is keeping natural cancer cures out of the public eye, due to pressure from drug manufacturing companies, who would benefit from continued profits.

In an online poll, 50% of Dr Oz viewers said they were concerned about this. Cohen said the FDA may be too close to pharmaceutical companies, but she thinks it is unlikely that anyone is hiding a cure for cancer.

Dr Oz asked Elizabeth if something could prevent her from reporting about a cancer treatment. She said she thought it would be impossible to keep an effective cancer treatment or cure under wraps.

Dr Oz: FDA Cancer Treatment Options

Liver Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, and Lung Cancer are some of the most feared forms of the disease. Approved treatments for cancer include Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Surgery. Natural treatments have been researched throughout history.

Though some people swear by alternative remedies, Dr Oz does not believe that the FDA would approve a natural cancer cure. Elizabeth Cohen said that it would require a long and elaborate study to get approval, which someone is unlikely to do for a fresh or natural product that could have health benefits.

The FDA shared a statement with Dr Oz about this conspiracy theory, saying in part:

Companies that market fraudulent products for cancer treatment or prevention often use exaggerated and bogus claims that suggest the product can treat all forms of cancer or is nontoxic.

Dr Oz’s conclusion was that the government might need to invest in some research of potential natural remedies or cancer therapies.

Dr Oz: Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

Do Vaccines cause Autism? About 20% of Americans think doctors are complicit in pushing vaccines, even if they could cause psychological disorders. However, the medical community thinks that vaccines are a stunning achievement.

Elizabeth cited a 1998 study that questioned whether there is a link between Autism and Vaccines. This report was later discovered to be fraudulent and has since been retracted by the journal that published it.

However, this fanned the flames of controversy and conspiracy, spreading the myth that vaccines cause autism. Cohen also told Dr Oz that millions of children throughout history have died from preventable diseases that we can now vaccinate for.

Almost 100% of pediatricians vaccinate their own children, which Cohen suggested is evidence that doctors are caring for your children in the same way they would for their own. Though many parents believe their children have been harmed by vaccines, Dr Oz believes they are necessary, though he suggested being less strict about the schedule and timeline for administering them.

Dr Oz: Cell Phones Cause Brain Tumors?

We don’t leave home without our cell phones. The potential health risks have been a cause for much speculation, and 20% of people believe the government is concealing evidence that cell phones could cause brain cancer.

However, Elizabeth Cohen told Dr Oz that the research is conflicting and so there is no clear answer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded there is a “possible link,” and since these phones are so new, we don’t have long-term data about the potential health impact.

Dr Oz: Protect Yourself from Cell Phone Radiation

Dr Oz found that cell phone usage has increased over the past 15-20 years, but there is no direct parallel to brain cancer diagnosis. However, Cohen said that children’s developing brains are different than adult brains, and that cancer can sometimes develop many years after an exposure.

To protect yourself from radiation caused by a cell phone, Cohen said you can use a headset for hands-free talking that will limit your radiation exposure.