Alternative ‘healer’ Dennis Wayne Jensen banned from practising after black salve cancer treatment

AN alternative healer has been served with a prohibition order following an investigation into the painful and ineffective treatment of a cancer patient until her death.

A SELF-proclaimed healer has been banned from providing any health service or boasting that he can cure cancer with his unproven black salve treatment.

North Warrandyte alternative healer Dennis Wayne Jensen was served with a prohibition order on Wednesday following an investigation into his painful and ineffective treatment of a cancer patient over a prolonged period until her death.

Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack made the indefinite treatment ban to continue a temporary order placed earlier this year.

“Having considered the evidence, I’m satisfied Mr Jensen contravened the general code of conduct, which applies to all health service providers outside the national registration scheme, when he treated a patient suffering from ovarian cancer with black salve and encouraged the patient to stop evidence-based treatment,” Ms Cusack said.

“I have serious concerns about the extent to which Mr Jensen is capable of delivering any general health services safely and ethically.

“Dangerous and unethical practitioners who prey on the desperation and vulnerability of cancer-sufferers, or others suffering terminal illness, won’t be tolerated.”

Black salve is a paste derived from the northeastern American Sanguinaria canadensis flowering plant that has been marketed as an alternative, but unproven and potentially dangerous, treatment for cancer.

The widely-discredited treatment burns and destroys large parts of the skin as well as the tissue below the surface, leaving behind scarring or damage.

“It’s important that all Victorians are aware of this serious risk to the health, safety and welfare of the public,” Ms Cusack said.

Anyone with concerns about their treatment can contact the HCC on 1300 582 113 or at [e-mail]