A BITTER PILL; Outrage over Chinese herbal remedies that claim to beat cancer.(News)

Byline: SAMUEL HAMILTON

CANCER sufferers are being sucked in by unfounded claims that Chinese herbal drugs will cure their illnesses.

The Irish Sunday Mirror discovered one shop advertising so-called "anti-cancer" drugs in the window of their central Dublin store.

Dr Acupuncture - which promotes the store as specialising in Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture - are selling 12 days' worth of the drugs for EUR35.

When our reporter inquired about buying the drugs for a friend who has cancer, shop assistants claimed the drugs help slow down the spread of cancer if two tablets are taken each morning and night.

And while the store warned us not to stop taking normal chemotherapy treatment, in the next breath a female sales assistant claimed the drugs would slow down the spread of the disease.

But there is no scientific proof that the drugs do anything of the sort, and the Irish Cancer Society has warned sufferers to stay clear.

The shop-worker said: "In China a lot of people have cancer and these herbs have a proven history for people who have cancer. It can slow down the problem and deal with cancer cells.

"It will attack the cancer cells and these are really special herbs. If you check on the internet, a lot of people have cancer in China and they have a chemical treatment in hospital and use these drugs.

But you can not stop the treatment from the GP or doctor... these herbs will fight against the cancer cells, to anti-cancer. They will also slow down the cancer. For some people, the cancer has become really bad, very quick.

"These drugs will help slow down the problem. And when people take some form of chemical treatment, these drugs can help reduce the side effects. They make it easier."

After explaining the drugs, the sales assistant urged our reporter into buying the drugs, telling him his friend needed to try them.

She said: "I think you have to let your friend try because honestly, everyone is different. Different person, different reaction. Let your friend try a month - so many people come here for this one. They don't say the name, they just ask for Chinese special mushrooms because it looks a lot like a black mushroom."

Last night, the Irish Cancer Society blasted Dr Acupuncture and other Chinese medical stores - warning cancer sufferers to only take their prescribed medicine.

Jane Curtin, the Society's communication manager said: "The Irish Cancer Society has concerns regarding the recent promotion of Chinese Wild Lingzhi or of any complimentary therapy for the treatment or so called 'cure' of cancer.

"The Society advocates the use of medicinal products, licensed by the Irish Medicines Board under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioners for the treatment of cancer. For expert advice on any aspect of cancer, Freefone the National Cancer Helpline on 1800 200 700."

Last night the shop's manager told us: "All the staff and doctors cannot say that they help cure cancer. It was just a misunderstanding because of English."

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"But you can not stop Concerns... Curtin Claims... 'Drugs' on sale in Dr Acupuncture