What did the hospital say after facing backlash for advising cancer patients against using colostrum?

The Da Nang Oncology Hospital has removed a sign promoting the use of colostrum, which was previously discouraged, following backlash from several distributors of this product. The hospital director affirmed that they will continue to provide patients with scientifically- based and truthful advice.

The display board containing the propaganda content has been taken down - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Tuổi Trẻ Online has received feedback from several distributors of A. (abbreviated name) milk products. These distributors stated that they were very upset to see images of their products appearing on a nutrition information screen at the Da Nang Oncology Hospital.

Posting product images and advising patients not to use them.

According to reports, the image of this milk with a slash through it was posted along with the caption: "Colostrum should not be used because it has very low energy and protein content, and lacks EPA. It will worsen malnutrition and be costly for patients."

Ms. T., a distributor of A. brand milk, said: "The TV screen in the hospital's nutrition consultation waiting area continuously plays a video featuring the product I sell. The message, repeated constantly with negative conclusions, is affecting our business and brand."

A person claiming to be a representative of this milk brand stated: "We need the hospital to clarify the accuracy of the information. The aforementioned message is misleading and causes misunderstanding among our customers and distributors, damaging our reputation and brand."

As a public healthcare institution, the hospital needs to ensure that all information presented adheres to scientific, ethical, and equitable standards.

What did the hospital say?

Despite reports from Tuoi Tre Online and visits to the Da Nang Oncology Hospital in late December, no images were found. However, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, director of the Da Nang Oncology Hospital, confirmed that the reported information was accurate.

Mr. Hung stated that this milk is quite expensive while its nutritional value for cancer patients is not high and therefore unsuitable for them. Experts and doctors have all reached the same conclusion after numerous seminars, discussions, and analyses of the milk's composition.

"Most cancer patients at the hospital are from disadvantaged backgrounds, yet they still spend large sums of money to buy this milk, partly because some sellers exaggerate its benefits while its composition is unsuitable. The hospital's nutrition department has issued a public awareness campaign advising against using that milk."

"We have determined that posting such product information and images was inappropriate, so we have removed the content. From a professional standpoint, experts and doctors at the hospital can give advice directly to patients; displaying it on a screen like that is unsuitable," Mr. Hung said.

A. Colostrum is listed with its ingredients in three languages. According to nutritionists at Da Nang Oncology Hospital, this composition does not meet the needs of cancer patients, so they advise against its use. - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Some patients being treated at this hospital said they bought a 450g box of A. colostrum for 1.2 - 1.4 million VND. A patient's family member said that despite the high price, they "heard" it was specifically for cancer patients recovering from radiotherapy, so they bought it. This person showed a box of colostrum they bought, which stated its origin was from a corporation in New Zealand.

According to our research, this type of milk is sold in the Vietnamese market through a distribution system.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bi-phan-ung-khi-khuyen-benh-nhan-ung-thu-khong-dung-sua-non-benh-vien-noi-gi-20241229201534237.htm