Alternative medicine and thermography: Sean’s cancer story

Sean Walsh was 20 when he found out his cancer was back. He’d been in remission for less than two years and was determined that this time round, he would not have conventional treatment. He turned down chemotherapy in the hope that he could cure his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma through an alternative approach, including a vegan diet, cannabis oil and coffee enemas. Throughout his treatment he used controversial thermography scans to monitor his progress, and believed he was getting better.

Journalist Layla Wright followed Sean’s journey on social media as he attempted to heal himself, and for a while, it seemed to be working. He raised thousands of pounds to fund his treatment, and beat the doctor’s prognosis. But in January 2019 Sean died, and his family believe alternative treatments cost him his life.

Through the testimony of those closest to him, and through his own words, Layla explores why Sean – and many others – took this approach. She meets the family of Linda Halliday who also relied on thermography scans for reassurance that alternative treatments were working and investigates the clinic that provided them.

Watch the full documentary on BBC iPlayer.

Presented and Produced by: Layla Wright

Additional filming: Blanca Munoz

Editor: Ed Emsley

Filmed, Produced and Directed by: Ruth Evans

Executive Producer: Kimberley Rowell