2402: The Cancer Sympathy Machine part 2

2025-11-25

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Why would anyone fake cancer? Money? Sure. Attention? Definitely. But as I learned in this episode… the motives are a lot darker, messier, and more human than you might expect. In Part 2 of The Cancer Sympathy Machine, we go beyond the headline-grabbing scams and into the emotional machinery behind these lies. With the help of cancer-survivor-turned-researcher Bill Petrich, we break down the categories of cancer fakers — from those seeking sympathy to those hiding crimes, escaping abuse, or covering up add...

Why would anyone fake cancer?

Money? Sure.

Attention? Definitely.

But as I learned in this episode… the motives are a lot darker, messier, and more human than you might expect.

In Part 2 of The Cancer Sympathy Machine, we go beyond the headline-grabbing scams and into the emotional machinery behind these lies. With the help of cancer-survivor-turned-researcher Bill Petrich, we break down the categories of cancer fakers — from those seeking sympathy to those hiding crimes, escaping abuse, or covering up addictions.

We revisit the infamous cases you’ve heard about: Belle Gibson, Scamanda, and Jennifer Cataldo.

To learn more about Bill Petrich’s work documenting these cases, check out his TikTok: @faking.cancer.expert:

https://www.tiktok.com/@faking.cancer.expert

Listen to eLIESabeth podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2nlxXhewsTRAyJhvyvaQbb?si=5de4d34489f549e9

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