As a most cancers survivor, watching Netflix’s new present Apple Cider Vinegar felt like a intestine punch. The present captures the exhaustion and desperation many most cancers sufferers really feel, and the seductive attract of ditching conventional drugs for the promise of a “pure” remedy. It additionally exposes the darkish underbelly of the choice well being trade — a world the place quacks and influencers prey on the weak. They communicate with unwavering confidence, but their claims are backed by zero peer-reviewed proof.
I do know this all too properly … as a result of I virtually fell for it myself.
I used to be identified with early-stage breast most cancers in December 2022. I instantly started scheduling consultations with surgeons, however most appointments have been pushed to mid- or late January due to the vacations. With weeks to attend, I made a decision to make use of the time proactively — or so I believed — and met with Dr. T, an integrative medical physician, to discover if dietary supplements may assist my well being whereas I waited for therapy.
Whereas Dr. T totally backed my choice to pursue surgical procedure, she talked about one other holistic practitioner, Dr. D, who specialised in thermography. She defined that thermography — a thermal imaging approach that maps blood move on the breast’s floor — doubtlessly can establish areas of irregular warmth linked to irritation or tumors.
What caught my consideration, although, was her offhand comment that Dr. D had allegedly “healed” a breast most cancers affected person with out surgical procedure, radiation or chemotherapy. As a science author interested in holistic drugs, I used to be intrigued. May thermography detect my most cancers? I made a decision to search out out.
Courtesy Jennie Durant
The writer shortly earlier than breast-conserving surgical procedure at MedStar Georgetown College Hospital in Washington, D.C.
After I arrived at Dr. D’s workplace, I observed that it felt extra like a spa than a medical clinic — a welcome change from the windowless rooms with fluorescent lighting the place I’d gotten my breast screens.
The thermogram course of concerned 9 thermal photos taken with a particular digicam, adopted by a “chilly problem” the place I submerged my fingers in icy water to check how my physique responded. I used to be advised that wholesome tissue cools in sync with the mind’s alerts, whereas cancerous or infected areas resist the change and present up as sizzling spots on the thermogram.
I used to be fascinated, however I couldn’t ignore the pink flags: thermograms aren’t FDA accredited as standalone exams for detecting breast most cancers, and the technician working the machine turned out to be the physician’s spouse.
After ready for half-hour for my outcomes — an eternity that left me uneasy — Dr. D lastly known as me into his workplace. After which, issues took a weird flip.
First, he confirmed me the rainbow-colored thermogram report and acknowledged that it hadn’t detected my most cancers — in actual fact, he appeared visibly flustered by the imaging fail. As an alternative, it had solely revealed “further warmth” within the space, placing me within the “high-risk” class.
Then, he revealed his principle: My most cancers was attributable to “too many COVID vaccines,” and I shouldn’t get one other. I used to be too shocked to reply. Not solely is there zero proof linking COVID vaccines to breast most cancers or different “turbo cancers,” the declare flew within the face of my private historical past.
“What about the truth that my mother had the identical kind of most cancers, in the identical breast, on the similar age?” I requested.
He dismissed this outright. “No, it’s positively the vaccines,” he insisted, earlier than pivoting to his subsequent pitch: Tremendous Mineral Water, a product he bought in his clinic, which he claimed may “detox” my physique and presumably assist remedy me.
By then, I used to be equally horrified and embarrassed — not simply by his quackery, however by my naiveté for strolling into this mess. I grabbed my issues and left as shortly as I may.
Courtesy Jennie Durant
The writer ringing a bell after ending a month of radiation therapy at MedStar Georgetown College Hospital in Washington, D.C.
After my expertise, I turned to the web and came upon some remark boards about thermograms. One put up led me to the story of Morganne Delian, a believer in homeopathic drugs who opted for a thermogram as an alternative of a mammogram to detect most cancers when she felt a lump in her breast. The thermogram practitioner reportedly advised Delian that he couldn’t see a lump however warned she had “delicate to average danger of creating aggressive breast tissue.” Months later, after lastly present process a mammogram and a biopsy, she was identified with Stage 3 breast most cancers.
Tales like Delian’s are chilling reminders of the potential risks posed by unproven screening instruments and various therapies. From espresso enemas and Gerson remedy (a real-life model of the Hirsch technique in “Apple Cider Vinegar”), to black salve, intravenous vitamin C, alkaline diets, homeopathy and power therapeutic, these practices are aggressively marketed by docs, chiropractors and clinicians, though they lack the mandatory scientific testing and proof to show they work.
So why are so many individuals nonetheless drawn to those options? A part of it, I feel, is the attract of management in a second while you really feel paralyzed with terror. A most cancers analysis strips you of your company — your physique seems like a traitor and your therapy plan is dictated by a crew of specialists that you just’ve simply met. Different drugs affords the phantasm of empowerment and customized care. Quacks don’t bathroom you down with statistics, unintended effects or limitations — they provide hope and ease. In a world the place most cancers therapies are scary or obscure, that simplicity and hope can turn into irresistible.
After my analysis, probably the greatest issues I did was study to belief my most cancers crew and the science that guided them. I deserted my wishful pondering — the fantasy of the “beautiful therapeutic expertise,” like Milla’s tropical Hirsch retreat in “Apple Cider Vinegar.” As an alternative, I embraced the stark actuality of white hospital partitions and a windowless working room, the place my surgeon skillfully eliminated my tumor and left me most cancers free.
Courtesy Jennie Durant
The writer and her husband on the D.C. Cherry Blossom Pageant, a few weeks after discovering out she was most cancers free.
Now, I get an annual mammogram and breast MRI, the beneficial screening protocol for ladies like me who’re excessive danger and have dense breasts. I additionally take tamoxifen every day, a preventative drugs that I’ll take for at the least 5 years, or for so long as my oncologist advises. Why? As a result of she’s the knowledgeable — not me.
Science saved my life. It saves lives each day. But, we’re in a harmful second when folks mistrust the regulators and science communities tasked with defending them, whereas inserting blind religion in politicians and influencers who revenue from our vulnerability. Apple Cider Vinegar exposes the darkish facet of those charismatic characters — individuals who lie as simply as they breathe. It’s a stark reminder why we have to belief science now, greater than ever.
The query is: Will we pay attention?
Notice: Some names and figuring out traits have been modified to guard the privateness of people on this essay.
Jennie Durant is a science author, researcher and breast most cancers survivor with a e-book on bee declines popping out with Island Press in 2026. Her work has appeared within the San Francisco Chronicle, Grist, The Dialog, Salon and different shops. Join together with her on Liinks, jenniedurant.com or try her analysis on Google Scholar.
This text initially appeared on HuffPost in February 2025.