BJP leader’s ‘cow urine cured her cancer’ claim debunked by top oncologists
'Only radiotherapy, chemotherapy and now immunotherapy are accepted as scientific treatments for breast cancer'
Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in a 2008 deadly blast, claims rubbing a cow's back helps in curing blood pressure issues. PHOTO COURTESY: INDIA TODAY
India's top oncologists have debunked claims made by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader that she cured her cancer with the help of cow urine and other cow products.
Mumbai Mirror reported on Thursday that the Tata Memorial Centre director, Dr Rajendra Badwe, said that there hasn’t been a shred of evidence to show that cow urine or other such products are remotely useful in cancer treatment.
“There are no studies to support such claims. Only radiotherapy, chemotherapy and now immunotherapy are accepted worldwide as scientific treatments for breast cancer,” Badwe said.
Dr Shripad Banavali, another prominent oncologist, said: “Such statements can misguide cancer patients who reach out to hospitals only at advanced stage of their disease.”
BJP candidate believes cow urine, dung can cure cancer
Pragya Singh Thakur, 48, aka Sadhvi, the BJP candidate contesting general election from Bhopal constituency, had claimed that she was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, when she was in the custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for her alleged involvement in the 2008 Malegaon blasts.
At that time, she had undergone a series of tests at the JJ Hospital. The then dean of the hospital, Dr TP Lahane, said that there were “no signs” Pragya was suffering from a major ailment.
Narrating various health benefits of cow and cow products, the right-wing Indian politician said she was a living example of its effectiveness as she cured her cancer by consuming cow urine.
“I was a patient of cancer and I cured myself by consuming gau mutr [cow urine} and panchgavya [a term used to describe five major substances obtained from cows, which include cow’s urine, milk, butter, curd and dung],” she said.
Mumbai Mirror reported on Thursday that the Tata Memorial Centre director, Dr Rajendra Badwe, said that there hasn’t been a shred of evidence to show that cow urine or other such products are remotely useful in cancer treatment.
“There are no studies to support such claims. Only radiotherapy, chemotherapy and now immunotherapy are accepted worldwide as scientific treatments for breast cancer,” Badwe said.
Dr Shripad Banavali, another prominent oncologist, said: “Such statements can misguide cancer patients who reach out to hospitals only at advanced stage of their disease.”
BJP candidate believes cow urine, dung can cure cancer
Pragya Singh Thakur, 48, aka Sadhvi, the BJP candidate contesting general election from Bhopal constituency, had claimed that she was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, when she was in the custody of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for her alleged involvement in the 2008 Malegaon blasts.
At that time, she had undergone a series of tests at the JJ Hospital. The then dean of the hospital, Dr TP Lahane, said that there were “no signs” Pragya was suffering from a major ailment.
Narrating various health benefits of cow and cow products, the right-wing Indian politician said she was a living example of its effectiveness as she cured her cancer by consuming cow urine.
“I was a patient of cancer and I cured myself by consuming gau mutr [cow urine} and panchgavya [a term used to describe five major substances obtained from cows, which include cow’s urine, milk, butter, curd and dung],” she said.