Most cancer patients use a variety of supplements. These maybe multivitamins, minerals, herbal remedies or antioxidants. Experts still maintain that instead of concentrated supplements, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is the best.

I’m aware of products circulating the net, promising a miracle cancer cure. Sometimes, we’re taken by their sales pitch until some side effects ensue. How will you know if they are indeed genuine? Are they really effective?

Signs of concern

The American Cancer Society recommends four basic signs to find out whether a product is fraudulent. So before you get yourself duped consider the following:
1. Miracle cancer cure
Be wary if the product is advertised as a miracle cure, a breakthrough discovery or a new discovery. New drugs undergo long term clinical trials that involve many participants before being introduced in the market. Then, the drug would be watched by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for any reported undesirable effect. There’s no such thing as a breakthrough without a long term clinical study. So, think before you purchase. If a product is touted as a miracle cure, it might be fraudulent.
2. No side effects
The product claimed no undesirable side effects. But when you tried it, you experienced some itchiness, tingling in your extremities, numbness and wheezing. Genuine products have warnings of undesirable side effects written legibly on the labels.
3. Cure all
If the product claims to cure not only cancer but all other illnesses, then be suspicious. This is a preposterous claim.
4. A big secret
The product advertises a secret ingredient or method of manufacturing. They claim this is the secret in curing your condition and why it is pricey.

What you can do

If you’ve been persuaded to buy such a product inform your health care provider. Some supplements react unfavorably with chemotherapy and radiation. If you can’t remember the name, take the bottle with some samples to show your doctor.

If you’ve experienced some undesirable side-effects, you can report it to the FDA. Request your doctor to furnish you important health information to help with your report. Then go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/ucm053074.htm and file your report.

Doing this would benefit you as well as others who have bought the product. What’s more, you’ll be helping clear the net off deceptive products.