Can Alternative Therapies Treat Cancer?
Newsweek US|November 15, 2024
Doctor and breast cancer survivor Liz O'Riordan addresses misinformation around managing the disease
ALYCE COLLINS
Can Alternative Therapies Treat Cancer?

AS A FORMER CONSULTANT breast surgeon who has battled breast cancer three times in the last 10 years, Dr. Liz O'Riordan knows a thing or two about treating the disease.

She has had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a hormone blocker to fight the cancer, and she will have to stay on treatment for life. For O'Riordan, 50, there was no question about trusting conventional medicine, but the same can't be said for everyone as there has been a rise in people attempting to treat cancer through alternative methods.

Australian model Elle Macpherson, 60, made headlines in September by announcing that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and turned down chemotherapy for a holistic approach instead.

Former MTV presenter Ananda Lewis, 51, was diagnosed with the disease in 2019 and refused a mastectomy. She recently said that her cancer has metastasized to stage 4.

Newsweek reached out to representatives for Macpherson and Lewis for comment.

Previous analysis suggested that there has been an increase in complementary and alternative medicine use over the last few decades, from around 25 percent in the 1970s to 49 percent after 2000.

And a 2023 study found that over 52 percent of cancer patients used CAM, with 5 percent delaying their treatment in order to try it out first.

O'Riordan, who lives in the United Kingdom, told Newsweek that she started looking into the subject online after her diagnosis in 2014 and was "horrified by the amount of misinformation" that she found.

"While a mainstream doctor can never promise a cure, there are alternative and homeopathic practitioners who will falsely promise one," O'Riordan said. "I've had several patients who turned down some treatments to stop it coming back and I really struggled with it. I found it hard to understand and I got really angry with them. I thought I should put some common sense out there to help people understand."

This story is from the November 15, 2024 edition of Newsweek US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 15, 2024 edition of Newsweek US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEWSWEEK USView All
John David Washington
Newsweek US

John David Washington

FOR JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON, BRINGING NETFLIX'S THE PIANO LESSON (November 22) from stage to screen was a family affair.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06-13, 2024
A Walk in the Parks
Newsweek US

A Walk in the Parks

Jim O'Heir shares his memories of the hit NBC mockumentary and its cast's hopes of a reunion

time-read
4 mins  |
December 06-13, 2024
Philomena Cunk
Newsweek US

Philomena Cunk

PHILOMENA CUNK IS JUST AS SURPRISED AS anyone else at her own popularity.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06-13, 2024
SOLVING THE PLASTIC PROBLEM
Newsweek US

SOLVING THE PLASTIC PROBLEM

PLASTIC WASTE IS HARMING ANIMALS AND OUR PLANET. CAN THE DAMAGE BE UNDONE?

time-read
10 mins  |
December 06-13, 2024
'I Was Struck by How Humbled and Insignificant I Felt'
Newsweek US

'I Was Struck by How Humbled and Insignificant I Felt'

An explorer says coming face-to-face in the wild with a grizzly and her cubs changed his perspective on life

time-read
4 mins  |
December 06-13, 2024
Has AI Turned On Health Care?
Newsweek US

Has AI Turned On Health Care?

Hospitals hoped artificial intelligence would lighten their staff's workload, but the same tech could be to blame as insurance firms increasingly deny Medicare Advantage claims

time-read
7 mins  |
December 06-13, 2024
The Next Phase of War
Newsweek US

The Next Phase of War

After thousands of elite soldiers from North Korea joined Vladimir Putin’s forces against Ukraine, how has this latest move affected the conflict?

time-read
6 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Saying No to Trump and Men
Newsweek US

Saying No to Trump and Men

The election has led some women to boycott relationships and sex

time-read
7 mins  |
November 29, 2024
My Fight for Equality and Justice
Newsweek US

My Fight for Equality and Justice

It will take more than just science to end AIDS. Inclusion, empathy and compassion are essential, too

time-read
3 mins  |
November 29, 2024
NEW WORLD ORDER
Newsweek US

NEW WORLD ORDER

HOW LEADERS ACROSS THE GLOBE ARE REACTING TO DONALD TRUMP'S REELECTION AS U.S. PRESIDENT

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 29, 2024