After Tata Memorial, AIIMS oncology experts raises question over Sidhu’s cancer cure claims

Following a statement from Tata Memorial Centre, Dr. Abhishek Shankar, a senior oncologist from AIIMS Delhi, has written an open letter to Navjot Singh Sidhu, raising serious concerns about his recent claims regarding his wife’s metastatic breast cancer recovery. Sidhu had stated in a widely circulated video that avoiding dairy and sugar, along with consuming turmeric (Haldi) and neem, was instrumental in curing his wife’s stage 4 cancer, which doctors reportedly said had only a 5% chance of remission.

Dr. Shankar criticized these claims as incomplete and potentially dangerous, pointing out that they fail to acknowledge the crucial role of evidence-based medical treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, in her recovery. “As a public figure, you should have disseminated the complete information about surgery and chemotherapy, which must have been instrumental in making her cancer-free,” Dr. Shankar wrote in his letter.

Misinformation and Its Impact

In a country where over 9 lakh people die annually due to cancer, Dr. Shankar stressed the damaging consequences of misinformation. He warned that such unverified claims could mislead patients into abandoning proven treatments in favor of ineffective remedies, worsening their conditions.

“Neem and turmeric may support overall health, but there is no scientific evidence to suggest they can cure cancer,” he stated. Dr. Shankar also addressed Sidhu’s assertion that “sugar feeds cancer,” explaining that while cancer cells use glucose for energy, completely eliminating sugar does not starve cancer cells but could lead to dangerous nutritional deficiencies for patients.

Highlighting Evidence-Based Medicine

The oncologist pointed out that Sidhu had previously shared updates on his wife’s chemotherapy via social media but chose not to emphasize this critical aspect of her treatment in the video. “You preferred to speak about remedies like turmeric and neem, which can never replace evidence-based medical therapies for stage 4 metastatic breast cancer,” Dr. Shankar noted.

He further urged Sidhu to leverage his influence to combat myths about cancer treatment and promote scientifically validated approaches.

A Call for Responsible Communication

While congratulating Sidhu on his wife’s recovery, Dr. Shankar appealed to him to share the complete details of her treatment journey responsibly, including medical interventions, to inspire and educate others.

“Your claim can create false hope and discourage patients from pursuing necessary cancer treatment. As a public figure, you have the power to overcome myths and boost cancer care in India. Sharing complete and accurate information can save lives,” Dr. Shankar emphasized.

The Growing Debate on Cancer Awareness

Dr. Shankar’s letter follows criticism from other medical institutions, including Tata Memorial Centre, which has also highlighted the dangers of unverified claims about cancer treatment. This controversy has sparked widespread debate on the importance of accurate health information and the responsibility of public figures in addressing life-threatening diseases like cancer.

The letter underscores the critical need for evidence-based communication in cancer care, particularly in a country where misinformation can have fatal consequences.