I didn’t think I would have to bring this up, but I’m getting more and more messages and comments (that I have to promptly delete) that revolve around conspiracy theorists, theories and harmful pseudoscience.
Please know that I’m not talking about gentle, alternative therapies such as reiki or having sound baths. While there’s no science that confirms they cure anything, it doesn’t matter because they are harmless. I’ve tried lots of complementary therapies but have never relied on them solely to cure any health issue. However, they can be relaxing, enjoyable and there’s no real downside (except maybe a lighter wallet), so I will continue to do them as long as it feels right to me. What I’m addressing here, are things what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will spew about …or the “bizarro’s” that Joe Rogen will have on his podcast.
Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to convince people who are hardcore followers of conspiracy theorists to think otherwise, so I’ve chosen to disengage.
It’s exhausting to have a discussion with someone who feels Tylenol can cause autism.
Recently, I had someone mention Vernon Coleman as a person to follow concerning cancer therapy. This is a man that wrote:
“…if children diagnosed with autism were stuck up to their necks in a vat full of warm sewage for 10 hours they would soon learn some manners". He also went on to write that the diagnoses of hyperactivity and autism were misused by middle-class, aspirational parents to excuse the behaviour of their obnoxious children.
This is one of many hurtful, grotesque examples of his opinions along with calling AIDS and the COVID-19 pandemic, hoaxes. As someone with an autistic child, I am disturbed that anyone would even bring his name up to me.
There are many other conspiracy theorists, but I don’t really want to talk about them and their harmful beliefs - because that’s all they are. They are not science - just opinions. Be aware of these “studies” they quote because they’re often made up of like 12 people. In Kennedy Jr’s Tylenol case, he used larger studies but they still didn’t prove anything. Many pregnant women took Tylenol and had kids that were born without autism, too!
Establishing causation requires more than just correlation. For example, you may have seen this picture before:
Anyway, this all makes my head hurt but I do want to make it clear that I’m always happy to talk about possibilities and the latest research in science. If I had a nickel for every study that someone has sent me about a rat being cured from cancer… well, I’d have a lot of nickels. But, I’m okay with this because it’s research and no one is drinking bleach. That being said, if it’s later found that this particular “rat cure” doesn’t work in humans, I don’t really want to talk about it anymore.
It’s interesting how conspiracy theorists want to keep beating a dead horse around certain research even when it’s proven wrong time and time again. I find it’s usually because it’s cheap and accessible. Ivermectin, anyone? Oh right, there was that study…
https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/250156
A recent abstract out of the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting detailing a phase 1/2 study of ivermectin in combination with immunotherapy for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer showed no benefit. Of eight evaluable patients, one had stable disease, six had disease progression, and one had a partial response.
So, Ivermectin is still useless against breast cancer. But if you get a brain worm like RFK Jr., go right ahead. Wouldn’t it be nice if we found out that something as simple as an anti parasite could cure breast cancer?
I understand that conspiracy “miracle cures” have been around forever and they’ll never go away. Remember that guy who turned blue in the 90’s? I think that was the first time where I realized how unbelievably gullible people can be. He was taking (a lot of) colloidal silver for his acid reflux and dermatitis. I believe he went on to say it helped him cure those things …but it turned him into a Smurf in the process. The guy was also a heavy smoker for years - maybe he could have tried quitting to cure his itchy skin and indigestion? Instead, him (like many people), would rather risk becoming Violet Beauregarde than changing their lifestyle. Amy Carlson (the alcoholic cult leader), is another example.
There’s also misinformation that can be blown completely out of context. I remember when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I had someone sending me a pile of stuff around essential oils treating and curing cancer. Specifically, “orange” essential oils. Well, when I looked into it, there were studies of cancer patients diffusing orange essential oils while undergoing chemotherapy. In conclusion, it helped lower nausea. Another example is with frankincense. There are some small studies that show cancer cells react to frankincense in a petri dish, but there’s no solid evidence or proof that it cures cancer.
Due to social media, there’s a huge problem with studies being taken out of context. I respect the doctors that are spending the time to “correct” them. Side note: If someone is talking about “health and studies” and then trying to sell you a product, be weary.
My main point to this post is this:
I’m happy to discuss the latest research and possible treatments and solutions for cancer (and many other illness). However, I’m not excited to talk about known conspiracy theorists, unproven science-related information and snake oils. Thanks!
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