Every week, Dr Skyler Johnson, a radiation oncologist at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute, gets asked the same question: Can ivermectin treat cancer? The anti-parasitic drug has been a topic of discussion for years, especially during the pandemic. But lately, misinformation about its supposed cancer-fighting abilities has increased online. In January, Google searches for "ivermectin" hit their highest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.

A major boost came when actor Mel Gibson appeared on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast and claimed that three of his friends with stage 4 cancer recovered after taking ivermectin, among other drugs. With over 10 million views on YouTube alone, the podcast helped fuel a wave of misinformation about ivermectin's potential benefits for cancer.

At the same time, some US politicians are making it easier for people to access ivermectin without a prescription. Arkansas recently passed a law allowing over-the-counter sales, and similar legislation is in the works in Georgia, Texas, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Kentucky.

But here’s the reality: There is no solid scientific evidence that ivermectin treats cancer in humans.

What Ivermectin Can and Can’t Do

Ivermectin is a powerful drug for treating parasites. It was such a breakthrough in combating tropical parasitic diseases that two scientists won the Nobel Prize for their research on it in 2015. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ivermectin to treat parasitic infections in humans and animals, as well as lice and rosacea.

However, large clinical trials have shown that ivermectin does not help in treating COVID-19, despite widespread claims. Similarly, there is no conclusive evidence that the drug cures cancer.

Some scientists are studying whether ivermectin has any role in cancer treatment. Early studies in human cells suggest that the drug may help kill certain cancer cells in a way that triggers an immune response. In animal studies, ivermectin did not shrink tumours on its own, but researchers are looking at whether it could enhance the effects of existing cancer treatments.

“It’s certainly not a cancer breakthrough, from what we can tell,” said Dr Larry Norton, medical director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “But it’s being actively investigated.”

The Risks of Misinformation

Health experts are deeply concerned about people turning to ivermectin instead of proven cancer treatments. Dr Johnson has already seen patients with treatable tumours delay standard care in favour of ivermectin, only to return months later with advanced cancers that had spread to their bones, lymph nodes and even their brains.

“These are really the cases that keep people up at night,” Dr Johnson said.

Beyond that, ivermectin is not risk-free. While the drug is generally safe in prescribed doses for parasitic infections, using it in unapproved ways can be dangerous. At high doses, ivermectin can cause neurological issues like blurred vision, confusion, and seizures, especially in children. The FDA has also warned that excessive use can lead to coma or even death.

Taking ivermectin alongside traditional cancer treatments could also be risky, as it may interfere with how other medications are metabolized. This could make some cancer drugs less effective or lead to harmful interactions, particularly for people taking blood thinners.

Why Are So Many People Believing the Hype?

Misinformation about ivermectin and cancer is spreading through a combination of social media, anecdotal claims, and political backing. Many people are desperate for alternative treatments, especially those with advanced cancer who may feel they have nothing to lose. Others are drawn to ivermectin due to distrust of pharmaceutical companies and mainstream medical institutions.

“I understand that people want to take their health into their own hands,” said Krissy Lunz Trujillo, an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina who studies health misinformation. “But that might have really serious consequences.”

How to Keep Your Mental Health in Check Amid Health Misinformation

The flood of conflicting health information online can be overwhelming. Here’s how to protect your mental well-being while staying informed:

Ivermectin is not a proven cancer treatment. While research is ongoing, no clinical trials have shown that the drug effectively treats cancer in humans. Relying on misinformation can be dangerous, leading people to delay life-saving treatments or take medications in unsafe ways.

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