Cansema (also known as black salve is a brand name of a popular alternative cancer treatment. The product is commonly classified as an escharotic. The product will consume cancerous and healthy cells without discrimination. As such it differs from traditional or efficacious cancer treatments by being destructive and dangerous to patients. It has been in use for many decades, thus earning a "natural" association[1] From the New Zealand Dermatological website, Cansema's, or black salve, origins can be traced to early attempts to manage skin cancer.
The two most common ingredients used in escharotic agents are zinc chloride and bloodroot (contains the alkaloid sanguinarine that is derived from the root of the plant Sanguinaria canadensis). Zinc chloride was one of the agents used as a tissue fixative in early Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) procedures. This technique was discovered by Dr Frederick Mohs in the early 1930’s and involved fixation of cancerous tissue with “Mohs paste” prior to excision. MMS has since been refined and perfected over the last 50 years and Mohs fixed-tissue technique has been replaced with Mohs fresh frozen tissue sampling. The disadvantages of fixed-tissue technique included destruction of adjacent healthy tissue, increased pain and lengthened surgical time.During the same period as Mohs fixed tissue technique was proving to be effective in treating certain skin cancers, Harry Hoxsey, a lay cancer specialist was developing a herbal tonic and paste designed to treat internal and external cancers. Hoxsey’s paste is very much like Mohs' paste and contains Zinc chloride and bloodroot. Hoxsey recommended applying paste to the affected area and within days to weeks, the area would necrose (cell death), separate from surrounding tissue and fall out. This treatment was never scientifically tested or proven and in the 1950’s the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) condemned Hoxsey’s formulas and practices. Hoxsey moved his clinics to Mexico, where some are still operating today.
Escharotics are no longer used in medicine. The use of escharotic agents has fallen out of practice in conventional medicine because their efficacy is unproved and their content is unregulated. In addition, conventional treatment including MMS is proving very effective at completely removing skin cancers while sparing normal healthy tissue.[1]
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Advocates insist that Cansema is a natural and safe treatment for all manner of skin cancers. This product remains readily available through a host of alternative and herbal remedy websites.[2] Cancer salves were first documented in a Time magazine article published in 1955.[3]
A 37-year-old housewife had a skin condition that later (at Duke) proved not to be a cancer. Convinced that it was, she had gone to a backwoods healer, who applied a salve. Soon a quarter-sized hole disfigured her nose, opened up the nasal cavity. Duke's plastic surgeons had to build her a new nose.[3]
Dr. Stephen Barrett of Quackwatch details the dangers of this product in his December 22, 2008 posting. This site includes graphic depictions of the effects of this escharotic on unwitting patients.[4]. Stephen Barrett wrote the following in which he refers to escharotics as "corrosive": "If a tumor is confined to the superficial layers of the skin, it would be possible to burn it off with a corrosive salve or paste. Unfortunately, products capable of accomplishing this can also burn the surrounding normal tissue and result in unnecessary scarring."
Greg Caton's responded to these accusations:
"As soon as I learned that the "zinc chloride burns healthy skin" tirade of the medical profession was a complete lie, I began handling it without gloves. I have spent many hours during experiments where, for convenience sake, I handled zinc chloride with my raw hands. I even do it on my escharotic video[5] on the Meditopia site (2004) just to make a point. Throughout my 20 years in working with escharotics, in thousands of cases worldwide, I have never seen Cansema react with healthy tissue."[6]
Cansema is listed by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA), as one of 187 fake cancer cures.[7] Cansema continues to be marketed by numerous individuals, including Caton[18] and others, as referenced by recent FDA warning letters[8] The FDA exercises enforcement action when it encounters sales of this material as a cancer cure, as in the 2004 case of Greg Caton[9]
The FDA has taken an active role in the banning of these chemicals for use as a cancer cure.[10] Typical warning letters detail the dangers of this product while also admonishing the purveyors of their obligation to comply with federal law.[11] Summaries of recent letters are cataloged on the FDA website.[12]
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