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Article: FDA busts myths of preventing and treating cancer by eating apricot kernels, herbs, and other ingredients

Maggie Fox (NBC News) writes about a new FDA report that warns of 14 "fraudulent” cancer products claiming to either cure or treat cancer (1). The companies that sell these products claim that many of them also prevent cancer, but are they safe or effective? (6/26/17)

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Most relevant for: People diagnosed with or concerned about their risk for cancer.

It may also be relevant for:

people with breast cancer
people with metastatic or advanced cancer
people with ovarian cancer
people with a genetic mutation linked to cancer risk
people with triple negative breast cancer
people newly diagnosed with cancer

Relevance: High

Quality of Writing: High

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FDA warns of 14 ‘fraudulent’ cancer cure companies
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False claims	Clinical trials
What does this mean for me?	Questions for your doctor
Guidelines	Resources and references

WARNINGS AT A GLANCE

The United States Food and Drug Administration () sent warning letters to 14 fraudulent cancer cure companies. Apricot kernels, herbs and other ingredients are the focus of Maggie Fox’s NBC News coverage of the actions.

A cancer diagnosis of an individual, family member or friend is challenging and can cause extreme distress; people diagnosed with cancer may be desperate to try anything and vulnerable to these companies’ claims to “cure” or “treat” cancer. The companies making these inaccurate are a danger and represent an injustice to the people they claim to help.

FALSE CLAIM: “If a person eats 6-12 apricot kernels per day, they will never have to worry about cancer.”

This false claim is advertised on one of the companies’ websites. Cancer patients and their families may be vulnerable and more willing to put skepticism aside if they hear or read that something can cure cancer. But these companies go further than that. According to a blog post written by the ’s Donald Ashley, JD and Douglas Stearn, JD, “These companies use slick ads, videos, and other sophisticated marketing techniques, including testimonials about miraculous outcomes. Often a single product was promoted as a treatment or cure for multiple diseases in humans and animals (2).”

However, these products have not been tested. Claims that they cure or treat cancer are fake, and they are potentially dangerous. As Maggie Fox writes, “…’Everything Herbs’ was advertising apricot kernels, which contain deadly cyanide. Apricot seeds were the basis for amygdalin (laetrile), an unproven but popular “alternative” cancer therapy sold online and in overseas clinics since the 1970s, despite much evidence it is worthless.”

The issued warning letters to 14 companies regarding their fraudulent claims about their products: AIE Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Amazing Sour Sop, Inc.; BioStar Technology International, LLC; Caudill Seed & Warehouse Inc.; DoctorVicks.com; Everything Herbs; Hawk Dok Natural Salve, LLC; Healing Within Products & Services, Inc.; LifeVantage Corporation; Nature’s Treasure, Inc.; Oxygen Health Systems, LLC; Sunstone, Inc.; The Vibrant Health Store, LLC (dba Dr. Christopher’s Herbs); and The Vitamin C Foundation (3).

What does this mean for me?

The is responsible for “Protecting the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, quality, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical devices.” Drug companies seeking approval to sell a new drug are required to test it in many ways, from early experiments done a laboratory to seeing if the drug is safe and effective for use in humans.

Additionally, clinical guidelines have not been written for any of these products. As defined by the Institute of Medicine, clinical guidelines are “…systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances (4).” These guidelines are made after enough high-quality research studies are completed that support the use of the products in question. For example, many researchers and physicians from different academic institutions would have agree that eating 6-12 apricot kernels a day would prevent cancer for the guidelines to incorporate this practice.

Being diagnosed with cancer or experiencing a loved one going through cancer is difficult, and it is inappropriate, illegal and unethical for companies to promote products that have not been proven to be safe or effective. But because companies like these exist, cancer patients and their loved ones should be sure to confirm that the products or treatments they hear and read about are critically examined by trusted resources, such as the and a person’s own health care providers.

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References

Fox M. “ Warns of 14 ‘Fraudulent’ Cancer Cure Companies.” NBC News. Published online first on April 25, 2017.

Ashley DD and Stearn D. “ Takes Action Against Fraudulent Cancer Products.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Published online first on April 25, 2017.

FDA: Illegally Sold Cancer Treatments

Disclosure

FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.

This article is also relevant for:

people with breast cancer
people with metastatic or advanced cancer
people with ovarian cancer
people with a genetic mutation linked to cancer risk
people with triple negative breast cancer
people newly diagnosed with cancer

Expert Guidelines

Dietary Supplements

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on survivorship include the following recommendations on dietary supplement use:

Taking dietary supplements is not recommended for most cancer survivors unless a patient has a known nutritional deficit, an inadequate diet or other indication (for example, ).
Little data exist to support the use of vitamins or other dietary supplements for cancer prevention, control or recurrence.
Taking vitamin supplements does not replace the need for a healthy diet. Patients should try to get nutrients from the foods they eat and the beverages they drink.
Providers should ask about supplement use at regular intervals, about a patient’s reasons for using supplements and the ingredients in those supplements.
Survivors of certain cancers are at risk of vitamin deficiencies based on cancer treatment (e.g., gastric cancer patients who have had a gastrectomy may be at risk of vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies).
NCCN recommends calcium and vitamin D supplements for people who have been prescribed denosumab or a bisphosphonate to treat bone or .
Patients taking multiple supplements and those in need of nutritional support should be referred to a registered dietitian or nutritionist, preferably one who is trained in supporting oncology patients.

Updated: 05/20/2022

Expert Guidelines

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) endorses the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) guidelines recommending the following evidence-based integrative therapies for reducing fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression.

Fatigue

To reduce fatigue during cancer treatment, the SIO recommends:

Exercise
behavioral therapy (CBT) uses exercises and skills to reduce symptoms
Mindfulness-based programs
Tai chi, a Chinese martial art, is composed of gentle, low-impact exercises while focusing on deep, slow breathing
Qigong is a Chinese practice using movement, body posture, breathing and meditation to optimize energy within the body, mind and spirit.
American ginseng, an herb
Psychoeducation, an intervention for patients and their loved ones provides information and support to better understand and cope with illness

To reduce fatigue after cancer treatment the SIO recommends:

Exercise
CBT
Mindfulness-based programs
Yoga
Acupressure
Moxibustion (a type of therapy that involves burning the leaves of mugwort—a small spongy herb—close to the skin)

CBT and mindfulness-based programs are particularly effective for managing moderate to severe fatigue after treatment.

Pain

To reduce pain, the SIO recommends:

Acupuncture for aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain
Acupuncture, reflexology or acupressure for general cancer pain or musculoskeletal pain
Hypnosis for patients who experience pain after a procedure
Massage for patients experiencing pain during

ASCO provides guidelines on the use of opioids to reduce pain in cancer patients:

Should be offered to patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pain from cancer or cancer treatment
Starting dose should be the lowest possible
For patients with substance use issues, clinicians should collaborate with a , pain and/or substance use disorder specialist(s)
Patients should be monitored for adverse effects

Anxiety

To reduce anxiety during cancer treatment, the SIO recommends:

Mindfulness-based programs, yoga, relaxation, music therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy (using inhalation)

To reduce anxiety after cancer treatment, the SIO recommends:

Mindfulness-based programs, yoga, acupuncture, tai chi or qigong and reflexology

Depression

To reduce depression during treatment, the SIO recommends:

Mindfulness-based programs, yoga, music therapy, relaxation and reflexology.

To reduce depression after treatment, the SIO recommends:

Mindfulness-based programs, yoga, tai chi or qigong.

Updated: 07/02/2024

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

What are my treatment options?
Are there any supplements that I can take to help me prevent or treat my cancer?
I'm taking herbal or dietary supplements, will these interfere with my treatment?
I'm taking herbal or dietary supplements, are any of these harmal?
I am having treatment side effects, are there any natural therapies that I can try?
Can you refer me to an integrative medicine expert?

Open Clinical Trials

The following studies look at integrative medical care for people diagnosed with cancer:

Multiple cancer types

NCT04917796: The Effect of Electroacupuncture on Nerve Pain Caused by Chemotherapy (Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. This study investigates whether electroacupuncture can improve peripheral neuropathy pain caused by chemotherapy in cancer survivors.

Breast cancer

NCT04837820: Effect of Acupuncture on Memory and Thinking Difficulties after Breast Cancer. This study tests whether acupuncture can improve difficulties and insomnia for survivors of breast cancer.

Gynecologic cancer

NCT05053230: A Study Evaluating the Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@HOME) Program in People With Gynecologic Cancer. This study looks at whether the Integrative Medicine at Home program can reduce patients' symptoms (such as tiredness, pain or insomnia). This program offers virtual (online rather than in-person) group classes focusing on mind-body practice.

Prostate cancer

NCT04519879: White Button Mushroom Sup for the Reduction of in Pts With Biochemically Rec or Therapy Naive Fav Risk Cancer. This phase II trial studies how well white button mushroom supplement reduces prostate-specific antigen () levels in patients with cancer that has come back (recurrent) or has favorable risk and has not undergone any therapy (therapy-naive).

Updated: 01/30/2025

Open Clinical Trials

The following studies focus on nutrition and cancer prevention:

Colorectal cancer

NCT05396846: My Best GI Eating Study. This study tests three diets in people who are overweight and who have an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Visit our Featured Research Page and Research Search and Enroll Tool to find additional studies enrolling people with or at high risk for cancer.

Updated: 05/29/2024

Open Clinical Trials

The following studies look at the management of side effects:

Multiple cancers

NCT02296450: Quality of Life (QoL) Assessment in Cancer Patients and Survivors With Dermatologic Conditions Using Dermatologic QoL Instruments. This large study examines how skin conditions that are related to different kinds of cancer or cancer treatments affect a patient's overall well-being.
NCT05056077: Tools to be Fit. This quality-of-life study examines the best tools for helping cancer survivors improve their diet, and exercise for people with bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, kidney (renal cell carcinoma), ovarian, or rectal cancer.
NCT03996265: Bupropion in Reducing Cancer Related Fatigue in Cancer Survivors. This study tests how well the drug bupropion (Wellbutrin) reduces cancer-related fatigue for survivors.

Breast cancer

NCT04586530: Telehealth and Memory Study (TAMS). This trial seeks to confirm the effectiveness of Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (TAMS), a cognitive-behavioral therapy as a treatment for chemotherapy-related dysfunction among breast cancer survivors.
NCT02290834: Chemotherapy-induced and brain changes in older adults with breast cancer. This study investigates abilities and brain images before and after chemotherapy to identify people at risk for side effects and to better understand the effects of treatment on brain structure and function.
NCT03879629: TrAstuzumab Cardiomyopathy Therapeutic Intervention With Carvedilol (TACTIC). Breast cancer patients receiving Herceptin or other HER2-directed therapy are at risk of heart damage. This study looks at whether beta-blocker drugs could help prevent this from happening.

Colorectal cancer

NCT05239338: Preserving Fertility After Colorectal Cancer Study (PREFACE). This study investigates the reproductive health and clinical outcomes among individuals ages 18 to 49 who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
NCT06420726: Resistance Exercise and Creatine in Colorectal Cancer. This study assesses the feasibility of combining creatine supplementation with resistance training versus resistance training alone in colorectal cancer survivors.

Ovarian cancer

NCT05047926: Prehabilitation for Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients. This study tests whether structured activity for women undergoing chemotherapy improves their physical state before surgery and thus improves outcomes.

Prostate cancer

NCT03971591: Men Moving Forward: A Lifestyle Program for African-American Cancer Survivors (MMF). This study looks at Men Moving Forward (MMF), a community-based lifestyle intervention that supports adherence to nutrition and physical activity guidelines to promote improved body composition and lessen the side effects of treatment.
NCT05155501: Pelvic Fascia spARing Radical Prostatectomy TrIAL (PARTIAL). This clinical trial studies whether pelvic fascia-sparing radical prostatectomy has similar cancer control and sexual function outcomes and significantly better urinary function, less penile deformity and inguinal hernia risks as compared to radical prostatectomy.

Updated: 03/11/2025

Find Experts

The following resources can help you locate a nutritionist near you or via telehealth

Finding nutritionists

You can find a registered dietician in your area through Eatright.org, the website for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Search for nutritionists by specialty, including "cancer," "weight management" and "heart health."

Related experts

The Livestrong at the YMCA program includes a free 12-week membership and fitness training with certified exercise experts. You can search by zip code for a program near you.