No scientific proof that Vitamin B17 can cure cancer

MALACCA: There is no scientific evidence to support claims that Vitamin B17, also known as laetrile or amygdalin, which found naturally in raw nuts, particularly apricot kernels, can cure cancer, said National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), Cancer and Health Screening Clinic head Dr Dalilah Kamaruddin.

She said cancer patients and their families should seek the advice of an oncologist or cancer doctor before taking any product containing Vitamin B17 as their alternative treatment.

"The problem now is that Vitamin B17 and few other products have been touted in the community that such products purportedly are good for cancer treatment.

"The NCSM however, will not say such products are good for cancer patients as long as there is no scientific evidence to justify the claim," she told reporters after the launching of the annual Relay For Life Malaysia (RFL)-Melaka 2014 fundraising programme here on Saturday.

The 16-hour overnight event at SMK Padang Temu which included aerobics and laughing yoga sessions as well as a Survivors Lap where cancer survivors take to the track in solidarity to celebrate their struggle and triumph against cancer, ended at 10am today.

It was reported in the American Cancer Society home page that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved laetrile as a medical treatment in the United States.

Dr Dalilah said patients should also seek similar advice before consuming the Acai berry and pomegranate juices which have been claimed can treat cancer.

"Cancer patients should consult an oncologist because not all the juices are ideal for them, particularly if they are undergoing medical treatment.

"As their body cells are not balanced, it is feared that more severe side effects would occur if they take these supplement products," she said, adding that conventional medicine such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy are still the best choice for cancer treatment.

She said patients also might be financially burdened by the alternative treatments due to the high costs.

NCSM vice-president Clare Ratnasingham said more than 2,000 participants, including cancer survivors participated in RFL-Melaka 2014 which has entered its fourth year.

She said the next RFL 2014 programme will be held in Dataran Petaling Jaya, Selangor on Sept 20 and 21 after having been held in Taman Perbandaran, Penang last June.

"We are hoping to hold this event either in Kuantan or Ipoh next year," she said, adding that the annual overnight event was organised to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors as well as remembering those who lives have been lost to cancer.

Clare said cancer is the leading cause of death among medically related illness in Malaysia.

"One in four Malaysians have a lifetime risk of developing cancer, with the majority of patients being diagnosed at the later stage of the disease," she added.

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