{"id":356238,"date":"2026-03-31T03:48:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:48:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/356238\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:48:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:48:25","slug":"a-doctor-claimed-he-knew-why-i-got-cancer-when-he-told-me-i-was-horrified-and-embarrassed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/356238\/","title":{"rendered":"A Doctor Claimed He Knew Why I Got Cancer. When He Told Me, I Was Horrified And Embarrassed."},"content":{"rendered":"

As a cancer survivor, watching Netflix\u2019s show \u201cApple Cider Vinegar\u201d<\/a> felt like a gut punch. The show captures the exhaustion and desperation many cancer patients feel, and the seductive allure of ditching traditional medicine for the promise of a \u201cnatural\u201d cure. It also exposes the dark underbelly of the alternative health industry \u2014 a world where quacks and influencers prey on the vulnerable. They speak with unwavering confidence, yet their claims are backed by zero peer-reviewed evidence.<\/p>\n

I know this all too well … because I almost fell for it myself.<\/p>\n

Also Read: I Choked On A Piece Of Steak And Died. What I Saw While I Was Gone Changed How I Live My Life Now.<\/a><\/p>\n

I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in December 2022. I immediately began scheduling consultations with surgeons, but most appointments were pushed to mid- or late January because of the holidays. With weeks to wait, I decided to use the time proactively \u2014 or so I thought \u2014 and met with Dr. T, an integrative medical doctor, to explore if supplements could support my health while I waited for treatment.<\/p>\n

While Dr. T fully backed my decision to pursue surgery, she mentioned another holistic practitioner, Dr. D, who specialized in thermography<\/a>. She explained that thermography \u2014 a thermal imaging technique that maps blood flow on the breast\u2019s surface \u2014 potentially can identify areas of abnormal heat linked to inflammation or tumors.<\/p>\n

What caught my attention, though, was her offhand remark that Dr. D had allegedly \u201chealed\u201d a breast cancer patient without surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. As a science writer curious about holistic medicine, I was intrigued. Could thermography detect my cancer? I decided to find out.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The author shortly before breast-conserving surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Courtesy Jennie Durant<\/p>\n

When I arrived at Dr. D\u2019s office, I noticed that it felt more like a spa than a medical clinic \u2014 a welcome change from the windowless rooms with fluorescent lighting where I\u2019d gotten my breast screens.<\/p>\n

The thermogram process involved nine thermal images taken with a special camera, followed by a \u201ccold challenge\u201d where I submerged my hands in icy water to test how my body responded. I was told that healthy tissue cools in sync with the brain\u2019s signals, while cancerous or inflamed areas resist the change and show up as hot spots on the thermogram.<\/p>\n

Also Read: If I’d Listened To My Doctor, I Would Be Dead Right Now<\/a><\/p>\n

I was fascinated, but I couldn\u2019t ignore the red flags: thermograms aren\u2019t FDA approved <\/a>as standalone tests for detecting breast cancer, and the technician operating the machine turned out to be the doctor\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n

After waiting for 30 minutes for my results \u2014 an eternity that left me uneasy \u2014 Dr. D finally called me into his office. And then, things took a bizarre turn.<\/p>\n

First, he showed me the rainbow-colored thermogram report and acknowledged that it hadn\u2019t detected my cancer \u2014 in fact, he seemed visibly flustered by the imaging fail. Instead, it had only revealed \u201cextra heat\u201d in the area, putting me in the \u201chigh-risk\u201d category.<\/p>\n

Then, he revealed his theory: My cancer was caused by \u201ctoo many COVID vaccines,\u201d and I shouldn\u2019t get another. I was too stunned to respond. Not only is there zero evidence linking COVID vaccines to breast cancer or other \u201cturbo cancers<\/a>,\u201d the claim flew in the face of my personal history.<\/p>\n

Also Read: When I Got Aggressive Cancer At 29, I Couldn’t Believe What My Friends Began To Imply About My Diagnosis<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the fact that my mom had the same type of cancer, in the same breast, at the same age?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n

He dismissed this outright. \u201cNo, it\u2019s definitely the vaccines,\u201d he insisted, before pivoting to his next pitch: Super Mineral Water, a product he sold in his clinic, which he claimed could \u201cdetox\u201d my body and possibly help cure me.<\/p>\n

By then, I was equally horrified and embarrassed \u2014 not just by his quackery, but by my naivet\u00e9 for walking into this mess. I grabbed my things and left as quickly as I could.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The author ringing a bell after finishing a month of radiation treatment at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Courtesy Jennie Durant<\/p>\n

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After my experience, I turned to the internet and stumbled on some comment boards about thermograms. One post led me to the story of Morganne Delian<\/a>, a believer in homeopathic medicine who opted for a thermogram instead of a mammogram to detect cancer when she felt a lump in her breast. The thermogram practitioner reportedly told Delian that he couldn\u2019t see a lump but warned she had \u201cmild to moderate risk of developing aggressive breast tissue.\u201d Months later, after finally undergoing a mammogram and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.<\/p>\n

Stories like Delian\u2019s are chilling reminders of the potential dangers posed by unproven screening tools and alternative therapies. From coffee enemas and Gerson therapy<\/a> (a real-life version of the Hirsch method in \u201cApple Cider Vinegar\u201d), to black salve<\/a>, intravenous vitamin C<\/a>, alkaline diets<\/a>, homeopathy<\/a> and energy healing<\/a>, these practices are aggressively marketed by doctors, chiropractors and clinicians, even though they lack the necessary scientific testing and evidence to prove they work.<\/p>\n

Read: Sending Boob Videos Is My Act Of Community Care<\/a><\/p>\n

So why are so many people still drawn to these alternatives? Part of it, I think, is the allure of control in a moment when you feel paralyzed with terror. A cancer diagnosis strips you of your agency \u2014 your body feels like a traitor and your treatment plan is dictated by a team of experts that you\u2019ve just met. Alternative medicine offers the illusion of empowerment and personalized care. Quacks don\u2019t bog you down with statistics, side effects or limitations \u2014 they offer hope and simplicity. In a world where cancer treatments are scary or difficult to understand, that simplicity and hope can become irresistible.<\/p>\n

After my diagnosis, one of the best things I did was learn to trust my cancer team and the science that guided them. I abandoned my wishful thinking \u2014 the fantasy of the \u201clovely healing experience,\u201d like Milla\u2019s tropical Hirsch retreat in \u201cApple Cider Vinegar.\u201d Instead, I embraced the stark reality of white hospital walls and a windowless operating room, where my surgeon skillfully removed my tumor and left me cancer free.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The author and her husband at the D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival, a couple of weeks after finding out she was cancer free. Courtesy Jennie Durant<\/p>\n

Now, I get an annual mammogram<\/a> and breast MRI<\/a>, the recommended screening protocol for women like me who are high risk<\/a> and have dense breasts<\/a>. I also take tamoxifen daily, a preventative medicine that I\u2019ll take for at least five years, or for as long as my oncologist advises. Why? Because she\u2019s the expert \u2014 not me.<\/p>\n

Science saved my life. It saves lives every day. Yet, we\u2019re in a dangerous moment when people distrust the regulators and science communities tasked with protecting them, while placing blind faith in politicians and influencers who profit from our vulnerability. \u201dApple Cider Vinegar\u201d exposes the dark side of these charismatic characters \u2014 people who lie as easily as they breathe. It\u2019s a stark reminder why we need to trust science now, more than ever.<\/p>\n

Also Read: I’m A Muslim Arab Living In Alabama. This Is What It Feels Like To Watch 1 Home Destroy Another.<\/a><\/p>\n

The question is: Will we listen? <\/p>\n

Note: Some names and identifying characteristics have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals in this essay.<\/p>\n

Jennie Durant is a science writer, researcher and breast cancer survivor with a book on bee declines coming out with Island Press<\/a> in 2026. Her work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle<\/a>, Grist<\/a>, The Conversation<\/a>, Salon<\/a> and other outlets. Connect with her on Liinks<\/a>, jenniedurant.com<\/a> or check out her research on Google Scholar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This piece was previously published on HuffPost and is being shared again as part of HuffPost Personal\u2019s \u201cBest Of\u201d series.<\/p>\n

Do you have a compelling personal story you\u2019d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we\u2019re looking for here<\/a> and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related…<\/p>\n

Read the original on HuffPost<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As a cancer survivor, watching Netflix\u2019s show \u201cApple Cider Vinegar\u201d felt like a gut punch. The show captures…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":356239,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[62971,4677,18402,134,58376,188316,524,188317,111,139,69,39028],"class_list":{"0":"post-356238","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-apple-cider-vinegar","9":"tag-breast-cancer","10":"tag-cancer-survivor","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-holistic-medicine","13":"tag-holistic-practitioner","14":"tag-medication","15":"tag-morganne-delian","16":"tag-new-zealand","17":"tag-newzealand","18":"tag-nz","19":"tag-traditional-medicine"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356238\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/356239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=356238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=356238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}