Warning: Herbs do not cure cancer and can cause kidney failure

Amid the spread of false medical information on social media platforms, Dr. Hadeer Mustafa Mir, a consultant in radiation oncology, issued a strong warning to cancer patients and their families, stressing that strict adherence to internationally approved medical protocols is the only lifeline, and refuting common beliefs about the ability of herbs and folk remedies to achieve healing.

The illusion of physical therapy and the risks of organ failure

In his statements to Al-Youm newspaper, Dr. Mir emphasized that resorting to unregulated alternative medicine can lead to disastrous consequences. Scientifically, this is because the liver and kidneys are responsible for detoxifying the body. When herbal mixtures of unknown origin and concentration are consumed, these vital organs may be unable to process the complex chemical compounds they contain, leading to acute kidney or liver failure. This deterioration in organ function presents doctors with a difficult choice: halting life-saving chemotherapy or radiation therapy until the patient's condition stabilizes, thus giving the tumor an opportunity to spread and worsen.

The difference between science and superstition

The consultant explained that modern treatment plans are not based on personal judgment but rather on evidence-based medicine. Historically, cancer treatment has evolved through decades of clinical research involving millions of patients worldwide, leading to protocols that ensure the highest levels of safety and efficacy. In contrast, there is no documented scientific study proving the ability of any particular herb to stop the division of cancer cells. He pointed out a fact often overlooked: some cancer drugs may be derived from plants, but they undergo rigorous chemical processes to isolate the active ingredient and determine the safe dosage—a process entirely absent in treatments using raw herbs.

The danger of social media recipes

Dr. Mir strongly warned against being misled by "social media influencers" who promote home remedies and drinks claiming to "draw out toxins" or alleviate chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and hair loss. He emphasized that these claims are mere illusions that can negatively interact with prescribed medications, reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy or increasing its toxicity. He deemed these promoters a real threat to the stability of patients' conditions.

The six internationally accredited tracks

The doctor concluded his talk by identifying the only six internationally approved pathways for cancer treatment, the most suitable of which is chosen based on the type and stage of the tumor and the patient's genetic makeup. These pathways are:

• Surgery to remove the tumor.
• Chemotherapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• Immunotherapy, which stimulates the body's immunity.
• Hormone therapy.
• Targeted therapies that precisely target cancer cells.

He called on families to place their full trust in the specialized medical team that monitors vital signs accurately, and to stay away from individual experimental fields that do more harm than good, in order to preserve the lives of patients.