Naturopath who claims cancer can be cured with baking soda touring Ireland

Irish Cancer Society warns against use of alternative therapies and said some, particularly anti-cancer diets, vitamins, and herbal supplements, may not be safe and could be irreversibly harmful for a patient’s health

Tim and Fiona O'Leary protesting outside the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs in Cork on Wednesday' where controversial naturopath Barbara O'Neill is delivering 'health seminars' this week.

The Irish Cancer Society has issued a warning about alternative therapies after protesters raised concerns about a naturopath touring Ireland giving 'health seminars', The woman is barred from practising in her native Australia for claiming cancer is a fungus and can be treated with baking soda.

Barbara O’Neill, who describes herself as a qualified naturopath and nutritionist, was faced with a small protest in Cork on Wednesday at her latest seminar on health topics including cancer, diabetes, gut and heart health, and hormones.

She said she had worked at health retreats, given lectures internationally, had written books on health and nutrition, and she promotes her views online through various social media platforms.

In 2019, she was barred from practising for life by the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) after telling vulnerable clients their cancer was a fungus that could be cured with bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, rather than through conventional medical treatment.

The HCCC found she falsely claimed to be able to cure cancer and urged clients not to use chemotherapy. She also claimed, without evidence, that one doctor had cured 90% of his patients’ cancer with baking soda injections. 

She has also encouraged her clients to cure cancer by eating a low carbohydrate diet for six weeks.

The HCCC said the misinformation had "huge potential to have a detrimental effect on the health of individuals". 

But Ms O'Neill is delivering five day-long 'health seminars' in the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel in Cork this week in a conference centre room with capacity for 60 people. It is understood the daily attendance fee is about €60.

Protest

Autism rights campaigners Fiona O’Leary and her husband, Tim, protested outside Wednesday’s event, citing concerns for patient safety. They pointed out their son's life was saved by chemotherapy.

“For us, this is personal,” Ms O’Leary said.

Our son, Dillon’s life, was saved by chemotherapy. We are concerned now for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable cancer patients who may take Barbara O’Neill’s advice. We have appealed to the hotel to cancel these events.” 

The hotel declined to comment. Ms O’Neill’s representatives at the event also declined to comment. 

She is due to speak in venues in Bray, Clonmel, and Leitrim over the coming days. Ms O’Leary urged those venues to cancel the events.

The Irish Cancer Society said it did not advocate the use of alternative therapies and said some, particularly anti-cancer diets, vitamins, and herbal supplements, may not be safe and could be irreversibly harmful for a patient’s health.

“Even though they may be promoted with claims of research findings or personal stories, there is no robust evidence from studies that they benefit cancer patients,” a spokesperson said.

In the worst cases, alternative therapies can be dangerous and if a person takes an alternative therapy instead of standard treatment, their cancer may keep growing.

“Given the risks, our advice to anyone who is planning to start an alternative medicine or treatment, is that it’s vital that you discuss this with your oncology team.” 

You can contact the Irish Cancer Society support line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or [e-mail].