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Amritsar, Punjab – November 25, 2024
Leading oncologists have criticized former cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for making unscientific claims about curing cancer, accusing him of spreading misinformation and creating unwarranted sensationalism. The controversy arose after Sidhu attributed his wife Navjot Kaur’s recovery from stage 4 breast cancer to dietary changes and natural remedies, downplaying established medical treatments.
During a recent press conference, Sidhu claimed his wife overcame cancer by “starving it” through the elimination of dairy and sugar from her diet. He further credited turmeric and neem for her recovery, referring to the disease as “incurable.” The video of his remarks quickly went viral on social media, sparking concern among medical professionals.
Medical Experts Push Back
Oncologists emphasized that cancer treatment relies on established therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. “Cancer is not one disease, and there is no single magic formula for its treatment,” said Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Chairman of the Max Institute of Cancer Care. “The approach depends on the type of cancer, genetic factors, the stage of the disease, and other patient-specific factors.”
Dr. Pritam Kataria, Consultant at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, added, “Diet and natural remedies can complement but not replace evidence-based treatments. Promoting such alternatives as stand-alone cures is misleading and dangerous.”
A Public Call for Responsibility
Dr. Abhishek Shankar, a radiation oncologist at AIIMS Delhi, expressed disappointment in an open letter addressed to Sidhu. “We expect more responsibility from public figures like you to combat misinformation about cancer care,” Shankar wrote. He warned that Sidhu’s claims could discourage patients from pursuing effective treatments, potentially leading to preventable deaths.
Shankar also debunked popular myths referenced by Sidhu, such as the notion that “sugar feeds cancer.” He explained that while cancer cells consume glucose, cutting out sugar entirely could result in nutritional deficiencies and harm a patient’s overall health.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Treatment
Other experts joined in criticizing the viral claims. Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, emphasized that cancer treatment plans should incorporate diet as a supportive measure rather than a primary cure. “Anecdotal stories that lack scientific validation often mislead the public and undermine trust in proven treatments,” he said.
The backlash from the medical community highlights the broader challenges in combating misinformation about cancer—a disease that claims more than 9 lakh lives annually in India. Doctors fear Sidhu’s comments may lead more individuals to forego professional medical care in favor of unproven remedies.
Appeal to the Public
As Sidhu’s video continues to circulate on social media, oncologists urge the public to approach such claims with skepticism. “We appeal to people not to be swayed by unverified stories,” said Dr. Chaturvedi. “Sensationalism does not save lives; science does.”
Sidhu’s earlier acknowledgment of his wife undergoing chemotherapy under Dr. Rupinder Batra at Waryam Singh Hospital contradicts his recent claims, further fueling criticism from experts. Despite the controversy, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical role public figures play in disseminating accurate health information.
