Behind the Bastards

Part Two: The Founding Father of Fake Cancer Cures

Mar 5, 2020
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Hoxsey: Father of Fake Cancer Cures

  • Harry Hoxsey pioneered the fake cancer cure industry and its modern grifting techniques.
  • Before him, fake cures were isolated; after him, it became a culture linked by fake cures and anti-establishment hate.
ANECDOTE

Senator's Blind Faith in Hoxsey

  • Hoxsey's Pennsylvania supporter, Senator John Haluska, lost his hospital admin job trying to convert nurses to Hoxsey's methods.
  • Haluska opened his own clinic, welcomed by public fanfare but his proclaimed cured patient died months later.
INSIGHT

FDA's First Public Cancer Cure Warning

  • The FDA launched the first-ever public denouncement of a cancer cure via nationwide warnings.
  • This initiative reportedly prevented thousands from using Hoxsey's dangerous and worthless treatments.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app