Pinch of salt

I have been following, for some years now, with great interest, and some amusement, the beliefs of Kothari et al in their crusade against oncologists. Let me state right now, that I enjoy reading their theories – but take them with the proverbial pinch of salt. I refer specifically in this letter to their response to Mamdani’s letter on their article (1).

They state, in this letter, that there is evidence “as recently as 1975” that removal of breast cancer often worsens it. My point: 1975 is a quarter of a century ago. It would not qualify as recent in most biomedical circles,although, on a cosmologic scale, of course, things would be different. Important advances have taken place in most fields, especially genetics and immunology, in the last 25 years.

“All cancer therapy is glorified palliation.” An impressive statement, backed by sufficient references, at first glance. A close look, though, reveals that all six references are to books written by the same team of authors — Kothari and Mehta. If this is not biasing evidence, what is? I might add, that none of the references are in peer-reviewed, indexed journals.

The authors make a reference to a “small controlled trial” of one patient in each arm of the study. Surely, you’re joking, Drs Kothari, Mehta and Kothari? Statistics of this sort are only made use of by toothpaste and cigarette advertisers, not by responsible doctors.