examined the cures from cancer that resulted from a visit…
““examined the cures from cancer that resulted from a visit to Lourdes in France, where people were healed by simple contact with the holy waters, and found out the interesting fact that, of the total cancer patients who visited the place, the cure rate was, if anything, lower than the statistical one for spontaneous remissions. It was lower than the average for those who did not go to Lourdes! Should a statistician infer here that cancer patients’ odds of surviving deteriorates after a visit to Lourdes?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The anecdote shows that pilgrimages to holy sites do not improve cancer survival rates and may even be less effective than natural remission statistics.
In simple terms: Holy water pilgrimage does not boost cancer cure rates.
Key Takeaway
Correlation does not imply causation.
Themes
statistics
health
belief
misinterpretation
risk
Mood
skeptical
analytical
cautious
Type
analytical
critical
informative
When to use this quote
- medical research
- patient counseling
- public health messaging
- skeptical journalism
Key Concepts
spontaneous remission
selection bias
placebo effect
Practical Applications
- evaluating alternative therapies
- guiding evidence‑based recommendations
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we distinguish correlation from causation in health studies?
- What role should anecdotal evidence play in medical decision‑making?
A Different Perspective
The sample may be self‑selected, and other confounding factors could affect outcomes, so a direct causal claim is premature.