Nutritionist Fined For Illegal Cancer-Cure Ads

Ex-Bodybuilder: Dr. Ferguson

A controversial Harley Street nutritionist - who illegally advertised cancer treatments on his website and on youtube - has been fined £1,750 after a prosecution brought by City of Westminster trading standards.

Dr. Stephen Ferguson, 45, a former chef and bodybuilder, claimed The Natural Health Clinic's dietary and fitness advice was a successful alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and his fledgling business has enjoyed a £70,000 turnover in it's first year of business.

He was convicted at Hammersmith Magistrates Court yesterday of seven charges brought under the little-known Cancer Act of 1939, in that between June 17 and October 2, last year he took part in the publication of an advertisement containing an offer to treat a person for cancer.

Dr. Ferguson, of St. Albans Avenue, East Ham describes himself as a health scientist, life coach and naturopathic doctor and earlier this year the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint against his claims.

He also offers solutions to asthma, arthritis and epilepsy as well as cancer via his own range of food and supplements such as his 'Multivitamin PH Balancer, Blood Cleanser & Energy Booster' and his 'Tropical Fruit Whey Protein Powder.'

Dr. Ferguson's website claimed the later may help protect the body from diabetes, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, obesity and Alzheimer's and was part of the complaint to the ASA, which ruled his ads were misleading and could discourage individuals seeking essential medical advice.

He is also a champion and practitioner of Live Blood Analysis, also known as nutritional microscopy, a controversial diagnostic technique, which claims to show diseases before they happen.

Prosecutor Mr. William Davis told the court section four of the Cancer Act was: "To ensure medical advice for cancer was only given by professionally qualified practitioners and ensure vulnerable people are not taken advantage of.

"The front page of this website invites members of the public to call this business and consult it over a number of diseases, including cancer."

The council received a complaint on November 13, last year and Dr. Ferguson was questioned.

"He said he had an employee responsible for putting content on the website and they got carried away."

There were nearly three hundred video testimonials from satisfied customers and the website asked the question: "Do you have cancer? We can help you."

Dr. Ferguson also sold vitamin C capsules via his site, which claimed: "Many have said it helps them get rid of cancer."

Regarding bone cancer The Natural Health Clinic warned of the side-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, adding: "These treatments hardly ever produce a cure."

Dr. Ferguson tried to distance himself from the website's content, telling the court a female employee was responsible.

"She was meant to stick to specific guidelines and not put on anything about treating cancer or anything like that," he said. "She was asked not to include her own personal views on there.

Cancer Claims: Dr. Ferguson

"I know it should not say anything that says we are treating cancer. It's purely for diet and fitness and exercise and nothing else."

Regarding a video strap line that included the word "cured" regarding Merkel cell tumour treatment Dr. Ferguson told the court: "I don't know how it got there."

It was also implied the clinic was involved in the successful treatment of a patient with prostrate cancer.

He denied uploading the youtube content, which had the username 'SFSTEVE100', and claimed not to know who did.

"I don't write on my website, I have other people update it for me. I was checking the website, but obviously not everything that went on there, there's three thousand pages."

District Judge Adrian Turner announced: "The written material refers to cancer, with a link to the clinic. It's plainly implied this is someone who treats cancer.

"Any member of the public would believe this is someone who has treated and in two cases cured cancer.

"I'm satisfied Dr. Ferguson was fully involved with everything that's on his site and anyone reading this would have no doubt this was an offer of services for those seeking treatment for cancer.

"I'm in no doubt those youtube testimonials are a major part of the company's business in treating cancer and Dr. Ferguson's approach to the Cancer Act has been a head in the sand one."

The judge also ordered Dr. Ferguson to pay £2,500 costs and a £120 victim surcharge, telling him: "You are not accused of quackery, no one is saying you are not a qualified nutritionist.

"These are reckless offences, not a deliberate attempt by you to exploit the vulnerable."