Sidhu’s Unverified Claim of Diet Beating Cancer Sparks Medical Controversy

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): After Congress leader Navjot Sidhu claimed that his wife overcame cancer through a strict diet, oncologists have strongly advised against following "unproven remedies" and dismissed his assertions as lacking scientific evidence. Dr. CS Pramesh, the director at Tata Memorial Hospital, criticized Sidhu's comments, stating that there was no high-quality research to support the idea that avoiding dairy, sugar, and consuming turmeric, neem, and other such ingredients could cure cancer. 

The statement, signed by 262 oncologists from Tata Memorial Hospital, refuted claims made in a video where Sidhu suggested that his wife, Navjot Kaur, cured her stage 4 cancer using this regimen. Sidhu had previously stated that Kaur, who was given only a 5% chance of survival, recovered after 40 days in the hospital, crediting her diet and lifestyle changes, which included consuming turmeric, neem water, apple cider vinegar, and lemon water while avoiding sugar and carbs.

Oncologists emphasized that there was no clinical data to support the effectiveness of turmeric or neem in cancer treatment, urging patients to stick to evidence-based treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. They warned against delaying medical treatments in favor of unproven remedies. Dr. Pramesh, sharing a clip of Sidhu's remarks, further clarified that it was the surgery and chemotherapy, not the diet, that had helped Kaur recover. He cautioned against being misled by such unscientific claims.