Cancer 'treatments' were callous, says Martin

Alternative cancer treatment given to a number of patients was callous and ethically unacceptable, according to the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.

Speaking last night after meeting a group of next-of-kin of the patients, a spokeswoman said the Minister was considering a number of options and would meet again with the relatives soon.

The two-hour meeting in Dublin discussed the treatment administered in Killaloe, Co Clare, by Dr William Porter and Dr Paschal Carmody.

Former patients claim they were led to believe that an expensive light-based treatment - cytoluminescent therapy treatment (CLT) - would cure cancer. However, a review of 48 patients treated with CLT in Killaloe in late 2002 and early 2003 found the process to be "a qualified failure", according to a review published in a US medical journal.

Seventeen had died within six months. The journal also reported high rates of after-effects, with some patients feeling it had made their condition worse.

Dr Porter, who is American, was struck off for gross negligence in California.  Dr Carmody,  a family doctor, was recently struck off the Irish Medical Register after being found guilty of professional misconduct by the Medical Council's fitness-to-practise committee.

The men had operated a partnership until 12 months ago. Dr Porter is now working alone, providing €20,000 CLT light therapy at his office in Ballina, Co Tipperary.

The Medical Council has contacted gardaí about Dr Porter. The families have asked the Minister to update the Medical Practitioners Act to ensure doctors who are not registered cannot practise in Ireland.