Chinese herbal doctor fined for cancer cure claims

A Chinese herbal medicine doctor has been fined $45,000 after he published articles and testimonials which suggested he could cure cancer.

Dr Qi Xen Chen pleaded guilty to 30 charges in Downing Local Court today.

In one article the Gladesville practitioner said his treatments could help a patient destroy cancer themselves.

“For some unknown reason the cancer patient is unable to destroy malignant cells. Acupuncture will stimulate a patient’s immune system to function well, and destroy malignant cells on their own,” an excerpt from one article read.

While in other articles and comments Chen said his treatment should work alongside chemotherapy and radiation, there were testimonials which suggested Western medicine played no role.

“The treatment used by Chen actually builds up the immune system to fight off the cancer… as far as I know many patients who have had operations, chemotherapy and radiation in the treatment of their cancer, in most cases it has been totally unsuccessful,” one patient said.

“I wish to stress that my cancer was treated entirely by Traditional Chinese Medicine administered by Chen. I had absolutely no conventional medical treatment; neither chemotherapy, radiation nor surgery.”

While many have applauded Chen’s skills there are disgruntled former patients, one who told 9News he spent $36,000 on treatments before his cancer spread.

Chen’s lawyer argued today he published the material before regulations were toughened in 2010 and forgot about them.

But Magistrate Joanne Keogh agreed ignorance was not an excuse and Chen had a responsibility for people’s safety.

“You could put lives at serious risk as a result of your advertising and testimonials,” Keogh said.

The Australian Health Practitioner and Regulation Agency welcomed the result.

“We hope that it sends a very strong message to all health practitioners that they must comply with the law especially when they are making claims that they can treat and cure diseases such as cancer,” AHPRA CEO Martin Fletcher said.

AHPRA will now look at Chen’s registration.