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Medical experts express fear over celebrities who give medical advice
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Doctors are expressing concern over the growing trend of celebrities giving medical advice. Most recently Suzanne Somers confronted Dr. Otis Brawley on Larry King Live.
Somers just introduced her latest book called Knockout. She maintains that conventional cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, are ineffective in the treatment of most cancers and suggests that alternative treatments give patients a better chance at survival.
Dr. Brawley, Chief Medical Director of the American Cancer Society called Somers theories “somewhat dangerous.”
Read more about the Somers-Brawley confrontation.
Medical advice from celebrities is not new but it is a growing trend. Almost 30 years ago, Steve McQueen traveled to Mexico for alternative treatments after traditional methods failed to halt his cancer of the lung. The treatments did not work and later were generally debunked, but reaching out for hope in the face of failing cancer treatments continues.
The late Farrah Fawcett traveled to Germany and underwent a regime that included both traditional and alternative treatments for her cancer.
Don Imus, who is suffering from prostate cancer, told reporters he is eating habanero peppers and taking Japanese soy supplements to help with his treatment.
One of the most famous celebrity rants about conventional medicine was Tom Cruise attacking Today Show host, Matt Lauer, over the danger of psychiatric treatment of post-partum depression. Cruise was discussing Brook Shield’s revealing that she had struggled with post partum depression.
Cruise call psychiatry a "pseudo-science." He berated former friend Shields and heatedly called Lauer "glib." Cruise later apologized to both Shields and Lauer.
Celebrity involvement is not limited to advancing alternative medicine as treatment. Tennis commentator, John McEnroe advocates widespread screening for prostate cancer. Recently, the American Caner Society has said it believe there is too much screening for prostate cancer.
Read the latest from the American Cancer Society about prostate screening here
Bill Maher, comedian and liberal pundit, recently discussed his disdain for flu shots. He advised pregnant women not to get the H1N1 vaccine, directly contradicting U.S. Health officials who have said it is most important for pregnant woman to protect themselves from this new flu.
Who will people listen to? Medical experts fear it may be the celebrities.
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