In China, a self-declared “tumor research institute” is under investigation after a woman revealed how her cancer-ridden mother was deceived into paying a shocking amount of 200,000 yuan, which is approximately ₹ 22.76 lakh for treatment. Treatments include bloodletting and even applying cement to her skin.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), at the end of 2021, Ms. Wang came to know that her mother had been diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. After diagnosis, these mother-daughter learned about a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in Wuhan who asserted to specialize in treating cancer. Two women traveled to Dongyusanbao Tumour Research Institute to meet Mr. Yu, who claimed to treat cancer. Mr. Yu told them that he had invented a medicine that could kill cancer cells.

As per the statement by Ms. Wang, Mr. Yu tried very hard to convince these two women by showing them his patent documents as proof of his patent credibility. He also showed him his certificates of cancer treatments.

Being optimistic about getting rid of cancer Ms. Wang’s mother immediately bought the first batch of liquid medication from Mr. Yu at a cost of 20,000 yuan (US$2,700), which he assured was a simple oral remedy. Ms. Wang, along with his mother, visited Wuhan from their home in northeastern Liaoning province six times by flight. The total expenditure on these visits was over 200,000 yuan.

According to an outlet, Ms. Wang added that Mr. Yu made dozens of injections into her breasts to make her lose blood along with the oral medication. He bizarrely also told the elderly woman to apply a mixture of cement and lime skin under her armpits, asserting that it would help in shrinking the cancerous lumps.

"For aid in shrinking lumps, he told my mother to apply cement mixed with lime to the skin under her armpits. My mother followed his instructions, but her skin became infected after doing it for two months," Ms. Wang said.

In April of this year, Ms. Wang's mother's condition worsened, and local doctors told her that the cancer cells had spread across her body. But Mr. Yu told them not to worry, as it is normal. In addition, he told elderly women to continue drinking oral medication. However, this ultimately results in the mother's death in June, Ms. Wang said.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Mr. Yu later revealed that neither he nor his institute have any medical qualifications. "I am not practicing medicine. I just sold them health-promoting products. My method of bloodletting is aimed at enhancing good health; it is not acupuncture," Mr. Yu said. He also revealed that the certificates and documents he had shown the two women were fake; in fact, they were bought online for a few thousand yuan. This bizarre case is now under investigation by the legal authorities, who ordered a probe.

Input from various media sources

(Rehash/Komal Bhoi)