No, chemotherapy does not have a failure rate of 97 percent

The claim

A video circulating on social media (archived here) falsely claims that chemotherapy has a failure rate of 97 percent. The speaker further suggests that the only reason it is prescribed is for profit by medical professionals. In just three days, the video garnered more than 2,400 likes.  

Both these claims, however, are inaccurate. 

A closer look

Chemotherapy success and cancer survival rates vary significantly based on several factors, including the stage of the disease, the patient's overall health, coexisting conditions, and habits like smoking. These variables can significantly influence how well a person tolerates the severe side effects of such an intense treatment.

For example, in the U.S., the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is about 93.1 percent. Hodgkin's lymphoma also has a high success rate when treated with chemotherapy, with survival rates of up to 82 percent, depending on the stage. In cases of colorectal cancer, chemotherapy can increase the chances of survival, especially when combined with surgery. The five-year survival rate for localized colorectal cancer is around 90 percent, but this drops to 13 percent for distant-stage cancer.

The claim that doctors prescribe chemotherapy solely for financial gain also lacks evidence. In many countries with universal healthcare, for example, the U.K., Canada, and Australia, doctors work within publicly funded health systems where patient treatment decisions are not influenced by direct financial incentives. These systems emphasize evidence-based care, and chemotherapy is prescribed based on clinical guidelines designed to improve survival and quality of life.

In the U.S., some oncologists may receive higher reimbursement for administering chemotherapy through private insurance structures, but this is not universal. In systems like Medicare or other government-aided healthcare, doctors do not directly profit from prescribing chemotherapy.

Moreover, doctors globally are bound by ethical guidelines that require them to act in the best interest of their patients. Prescribing unnecessary treatments for financial gain would violate these ethics, risking their medical license and reputation.

Personality behind the claim

The speaker in the video is Dr. Peter Glidden, a naturopathic physician with more than 30 years of experience. He advocates for natural, holistic approaches to health, including medical nutrition and homeopathy. Dr. Glidden believes in the potential of naturopathic treatments to address chronic illnesses. However, the scientific support for some of these treatments remains highly controversial.

Homeopathy, for example, involves using highly diluted substances to treat illness. While proponents claim homeopathy can treat various ailments, the scientific community largely disputes its effectiveness. Multiple reviews found no reliable evidence that homeopathy works better than a placebo.

Glidden criticizes MD-directed care, particularly its focus on pharmaceuticals, which he claims often cause more harm than good. His assertion that medical errors are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. is based on studies that have been criticized for methodological flaws.

While some aspects of Glidden's philosophy, like the emphasis on diet and lifestyle, align with modern preventative medicine, his more extreme claims lack scientific backing and can be incredibly harmful when related to conditions like cancer.

We contacted Dr. Glidden and asked him to provide evidence to support his claim. He hasn't responded. 

The verdict

The claim that chemotherapy has a failure rate of 97 percent is unfounded. Data consistently show that chemotherapy's effectiveness varies widely based on factors such as cancer type, stage, and patient health. Similarly, the notion that it is prescribed primarily for financial gain lacks evidence. Thus, we have marked this claim as false.