UP Minister Sparks Outrage with Bizarre Claim: 'Cleaning Cowshed Can Cure Cancer’

The Minister's Controversial Remarks

During his address at the Gaushala inauguration, Gangwar suggested that cleaning a cowshed and interacting with cows could have miraculous health benefits, going as far as to claim that these activities could cure cancer. He also claimed that stroking a cow's back twice a day could help reduce blood pressure significantly. According to Gangwar, people suffering from hypertension could reduce their medication dosage by half within 10 days if they followed his advice of stroking a cow's back regularly.

“If a blood pressure patient strokes a cow's back every morning and evening and serves the cow, their blood pressure will drop. Someone taking 20 mg of medication will reduce their dosage to 10 mg within 10 days,” Gangwar told the gathering.

The minister further emphasised the supposed health benefits of living close to cows, even stating that burning cow dung cakes could repel mosquitoes, once again highlighting the utility of everything that cows produce. His comments have been met with a mix of disbelief, ridicule, and concern, particularly from medical experts and scientists who stress the dangers of promoting unproven treatments for serious health issues.

Cancer: A Global Health Crisis with No Easy Cure

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and finding effective treatments for this complex disease remains one of modern medicine’s greatest challenges. While research into cancer treatments is ongoing, there is currently no known cure. The standard treatment options for cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, all of which are based on scientific evidence and decades of clinical research.

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Gangwar's suggestion that lying in a cowshed or cleaning it could cure cancer is not only scientifically baseless but also dangerous. As per Dr Shishir N. Shetty, Senior Consultant-Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi, there is no evidence to support the idea that proximity to cows or their byproducts has any effect on cancer cells. Such claims undermine public understanding of how cancer treatments work and may lead individuals to delay or avoid seeking proven medical care in favour of unscientific alternatives.

The Importance of Scientific Cancer Treatments

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy have been extensively studied and are administered by qualified healthcare professionals. These treatments target cancer cells in specific ways and have been proven to help in many cases, depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells, while surgery involves removing tumours or affected areas of the body. Radiation therapy uses high-energy waves to target and destroy cancer cells. These methods have saved countless lives and continue to be the cornerstone of cancer treatment.

In contrast, unproven and unscientific claims like those made by Gangwar pose a significant risk to public health. They may encourage people to abandon evidence-based treatments in favour of so-called “natural” remedies that are not only ineffective but potentially harmful.

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Hypertension and the Role of Lifestyle Changes

Gangwar’s claims regarding blood pressure management are equally problematic. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition that requires careful management through lifestyle changes and medication. While it is true that spending time with animals can reduce stress and promote relaxation, there is no evidence that simply stroking a cow's back can lower blood pressure to the extent described by the minister.

Blood pressure management involves a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, and medication. Lifestyle changes such as reducing salt intake, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and practising stress-relieving techniques like yoga or meditation have all been proven to help manage blood pressure. However, relying solely on unproven methods like interacting with cows, as suggested by Gangwar, is unlikely to provide any significant health benefits.

The Dangers of Misinformation in Health

Misinformation surrounding health is not just harmless talk—it can lead to real-world consequences. When public figures promote unfounded medical claims, they risk leading people away from evidence-based treatments. In the case of cancer, delaying proper treatment can be life-threatening.

Public health experts emphasise the importance of relying on scientifically proven methods for treating diseases, particularly serious conditions like cancer and hypertension. Encouraging people to abandon or delay conventional medical treatments in favour of unproven alternatives is not only irresponsible but potentially dangerous.

Bottomline

The claims made by Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Singh Gangwar have drawn widespread criticism for promoting unscientific ideas about cancer and hypertension treatment. While spending time with animals and in nature may have some mental health benefits, there is no scientific evidence to support the minister's assertions about curing cancer or significantly reducing blood pressure by interacting with cows. It is essential for public figures to be cautious when making health-related claims, as the spread of misinformation can have serious consequences for individuals and public health as a whole.