Warning over bogus cancer balm
WA health authorities are investigating a reported resurgence in the use of a dangerous, illegal balm by cancer patients.
The Cancer Council WA and doctors are worried about a spate of patients, including women with breast cancer, using the corrosive solvent black salve as an alternative treatment.
It can cause horrific burns and in at least one case a patient has forgone conventional cancer treatments because she believed the salve could cure her.
Also known as red salve and cansema, the unlicensed product often has bloodroot plant extract and zinc chloride, which can eat at skin, causing significant scars.
The WA Health Department, which has warned about black salve, said it was investigating concerns the product's use was re-emerging in WA.
"If there is evidence black salve is being promoted to treat cancer, the department will take immediate action," a spokesman said.
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Prominent Perth breast surgeon and Cancer Council board member Christobel Saunders said she had seen five women who had used the salve on and off, including one who delayed legitimate cancer treatment.
"I don't have a problem with complementary therapies that can help people through their treatment and improve their quality of life, but this is horrific stuff that can cause horrific burns," Professor Saunders said.
"Not only does it clearly cause serious consequences such as caustic burns, I'm concerned that it can delay treatment and in one lady it's now too late and sadly she will now die."
Professor Saunders said she wanted the Federal Government to look at stronger laws against dangerous "quack cures".
Black salve is not registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which warned yesterday there was no credible evidence any black salve preparations effectively treated cancer and to supply it was illegal.
It said some consumers had got it from internet sites, which was a great concern.
