Dr Xand's Con or Cure

From cons to cures, scams to scares and sifting fakes from facts.

Health consumer show Con or Cure is dedicated to righting the wrongs of ‘bad medicine'. Dr Xand van Tulleken and journalist Ashley John-Baptiste scour the country to expose medical quacks, explode false news, explain topical health and showcase extraordinary cases. In a world of social media and information at our fingertips, they'll help you sift the right advice from the downright dangerous, shine a light on medical malpractice and criminal behaviour, and help you take your health in your own hands.

In this episode, Xand and Ashley explore health tourism, a booming industry, with many Brits heading abroad for plastic surgery or other treatments. But is it easy to do it safely? Mum and daughter Jackie and Tracey were tempted by sun and surgery, but both were left with horrific injuries. We reveal the red flags to look out for when booking surgery abroad.

For 41-year-old Justin, Facebook was a place where he could keep in touch with family, and as a person with learning disabilities, find a safe and comfortable space to chat with friends. That was until he was manipulated and scammed out of thousands of pounds by online fraudsters, targeting vulnerable individuals through social media.

Also, we bust the most common myths around colds and flu. Does going out without a jacket or with wet hair really give you a cold? And the social media trend that sees people sticking raw garlic up their nostrils to clear congestion - con or cure?

Two thousand and five hundred people die each year from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos that is completely preventable. Liam and Helen are in their 30s and 40s but have been given the devastating diagnosis. Despite being a banned material, asbestos is still found in schools, hospitals, factories and many public buildings. So, how can we keep ourselves safe?

We explore the idea behind ‘The Lion Diet' – only eating meat, salt and water for 30 days, And the shocking story of the woman who faked a DNA paternity test to deny her ex-partner access to his child. We expose how quick, cheap and easy it is to get your hands on fake DNA documentation.

Also, we look into the growing practice of using maggots in modern medicine. They feed on dead and infected tissue but leave healthy tissue alone, making them a highly effective tool in wound care.

And – putting the three-second rule to the test. Is it really OK to eat food off the floor?

We investigate the dodgy practitioners offering cheap hair transplants leaving men with botched jobs and scarred scalps. Jerry lost his hair in his 20s and thought a transplant could help him get his confidence back. But he was left with excessive bleeding and patchy results. Renowned hair transplant surgeon Dr Greg Williams reveals what to look out for, how to choose the best clinic, and when to walk away.

Ella Kiss-Debrah was only nine years old when illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide near her home took her life. In 2020, she became the first person in the UK to have pollution listed as the cause of death. We hear from her mother Rosamund who campaigns for better air quality.

We also hear the shocking story of former surgeon Ian Paterson, who was convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent and sentenced to 20 years in prison. One of his former patients, Debbie, underwent needless surgery and chemotherapy under his care.

And do you feed a cold? Do you starve a fever? We all say it, but is it actually true? Dr Xand has some answers for us.

Every year, thousands of people from the UK travel abroad for dental surgery. With the promise of affordable perfect gnashers, Turkey has become one of the go-to destinations for the Hollywood smile. But when Amanda from Belfast booked a trip to get some crowns done, it turned into a nightmare that took over 40 hours of dental repair back in the UK. Specialist dentist Dr Rhona Eskander advises on the red and green flags to look out for when considering dentistry abroad.

Also, medical tech. From a machine that can zap away your pain, to a heart rate tracker that can tell you how much effort you're putting into your exercise, we're joined by tech journalist Lara Lewington to find out if any offer real health benefits.

And the scammers that prey on people at their lowest ebb. Four years ago, Jo from Dundee was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Keen to understand more, Jo joined a support group on Facebook where a fellow member offered a miracle supplement that promised a better quality of life. Sadly, it was a complete scam.

We also investigate the many and varied health benefits that CBD oil claims to possess. Is there any truth behind the hype?

Epilepsy drug sodium valproate causes birth defects and developmental delay in babies whose mothers take the drug while pregnant. But when Susan got pregnant taking the drug, she wasn't aware of the life-changing consequences her epilepsy medication would have. Three babies a month are still being born after exposure to sodium valproate, and Susan campaigns to raise awareness of the issue.

Also, the illegal trading in prescription drugs. In one week, last year, 94 countries across the world were involved in a simultaneous crackdown on the illegal prescription drugs trade. In the UK, anti-depressants, erectile dysfunction tablets, painkillers, anabolic steroids and slimming pills were among the medicines seized. We go behind the scenes with Interpol as they track and impound illegal medications sneaking into the country.

Plus, the fake medicines being touted as ‘cures' for autism. And we look at the new social media trend of ‘exercise snacking'. Can bursts of exercise only lasting seconds really do you any good? Dr Xand explains. We also clarify whether you really need to take multivitamins.

The incredible story of the woman who can smell Parkinson's. Seventy-two-year-old Joy first recognised her superpower when she realised she could smell the disease in her own husband. She is now working with a team of medical scientists to help develop earlier detection of the illness.

Also, the terrible tale involving thousands of patients who were recalled and re-evaluated after a neurologist was found to be misdiagnosing patients. Janelle started seeing Dr Michael Watt with headaches, but after six months of treatment and several invasive and unnecessary procedures, she escaped his care. Many other patients were not as lucky.

Plus, the people defrauding the NHS by selling on prescriptions they no longer need. It's a lucrative business and also illegal.

And we're discussing the hype around hydration. Do we really need eight glasses of water a day? Do tea and coffee dehydrate you, and why does alcohol make you feel so dried out? Dr Xand has the answers.

When Clare from Bristol booked a cheap teeth whitening service through social media, her ‘too-good-to-be-true' treatment made eating and drinking very difficult. Dentist Dr Rhona Eskander reveals the red flags to look out for in the pursuit of a perfect smile.

Controversial diabetes drug Ozempic has hit the headlines as non-diabetics grab supplies to use for one of its side-effects: weight loss. But is it a miracle drug or a medical disaster? And are the supply issues a real cause for concern for diabetics?

Also, mouldy homes are a major health hazard. In Telford, Chloe's one-year-old daughter is suffering serious ill health, living in a mouldy home. Housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa holds landlords to account for problems such as mould, damp, infestation and neglect, and shares his tips for how to make sure landlords are keeping their tenants safe.

Plus, the largest maternity scandal in the history of the NHS began with one grieving mother looking for answers and ended up involving 1,486 families. We meet Reverend Charlotte, whose son Adam was a victim.

And we're busting the most common myths around sleep. Is eight hours really a magic number?

We explore the dangerous side effects of some common acne medications and reveal the best tips and tricks for healthy, clear skin.

Plus, long Covid. 2.2 million people in the UK are suffering from it. Joanna Herman is a consultant in infectious diseases and suffers from long Covid herself. She struggles with everyday chores, and after 33 months, is still unable to return to work.

Also, we examine one of the latest social media health trends – covering your mouth with tape while asleep to help with breathing, snoring and bad breath. Does it work? Is it dangerous? Dr Xand has a view on it.

And, we investigate the unregulated world of therapists. With no qualifications or certification needed to legally call yourself a therapist, it's an industry rife with scam practitioners. We meet Jake and Laura, who struggle with mental health issues, but when they tried to get help, they were given bogus treatment that not only cost them hundreds of pounds but caused them more harm than good.

When Scottish couple Sheila and Michael took out a pre-payment funeral plan, they thought they were helping to make things easier for friends and relatives. But a visit from the police some months later revealed that they were one of tens of people ripped off by the undertaker, who had simply stolen their money.

Plus, faecal transplants. Using someone else's poo to improve gut health sounds like complete quackery. But in fact, it's at the forefront of modern medicine. We hear how the NHS stores donor poo in a -80°C freezer for up to six months before transplanting it into patients with gut problems. The results are truly astonishing.

And the annual misery of hay fever. We look into what really works when it comes to the seasonal-sneezing-and-snot-fest and find out why local honey isn't the cure many believe it to be.

Also, the dangerous side of diet pills. We meet a mother whose daughter tragically died after taking the illegal weight-loss drug DNP.

And we get to the bottom of an age-old question. Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

When Jo from Broadstairs heard that her friend was battling cancer and needed £45,000 for treatment abroad, she flew into action. She organised concerts to raise money and enrolled the help of many friends in the process. But she was devastated to discover that the whole thing was a lie, enabling her friend to live a lavish lifestyle of champagne and casinos.

Plus, when Marcelle decided on a little treat for herself, she booked what she thought was a botox treatment, just to smooth a few things out. But she soon found herself in a living nightmare, with her face swollen to dangerous levels. We reveal the red flags to look out for if looking for any sort of non-surgical procedures.

And we meet Mark Fox, a victim of one of the UK's biggest ever medical health scares, the infected blood scandal, one that has been running for 40 years.

Also, the sauna blanket. With 12.6 million views on TikTok, it is touted as a remedy for many conditions, including reducing cellulite and helping you to lose weight. But is it worth the money?

Finally, 10,000 steps a day. Many of us believe this number is the key to staying healthy. But where did it come from, and is it really a magic number?