RT Journal
A1 Spence WF
T1 COmments on laetrile
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1977
FD July 1
VO 137
IS 7
SP 964
OP 964
DO 10.1001/archinte.1977.03630190104031
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1977.03630190104031
AB To the Editor.— 
    The EDITORIAL COMMENTARY in the August issue of the Archives (136:865-866, 1976) entitled "Chihuahuas and Laetrile, Chelation Therapy, and Honey From Boulder, Colo" was interesting. It was pointed out quite correctly that evidence to date indicates the substance to be "worthless but harmless." As a practicing oncologist, I believe the handling of the laetrile "problem" is nonsensical. The commentary stated that the great danger from laetrile lies in the temptation presented to the cancer victim to resort to it rather than seek early medical attention. My observation is that people who do seek laetrile know they have cancer and have had that diagnosis presented to them by a physician. Any delay in seeking medical attention is seldom due to a distraction by laetrile because such people may fear but do not know that they have cancer.It was also stated that we have been successful in preventing