When Joe Tippens was diagnosed with a terminal form of lung cancer, his doctors told him that he only had three months to live. It was a diagnosis he wasn’t ready to accept, so he began scouring the internet for approaches outside of mainstream medicine. He started taking the spice curcumin and CBD oil, and mega doses of vitamin E. And, based upon an anecdote, he added a dog dewormer to his regimen.
Fenbendazole is an anthelmintic, meaning that it kills parasites in dogs and cats. It’s also an important tool in laboratory research because it stops certain types of cancer from growing in rodents, and has been shown to help animals with existing cancers fight their way to remission.
But, the anecdotal accounts of people claiming that fenbendazole cures cancer aren’t sitting well with scientists and veterinarians. They’re not only skeptical of the claims, but they’re also worried that pet owners who are desperate to find a cure for their cancer will be tempted by this alternative.
The claims have been fueled by TikTok videos and social media posts that feature a man named Joe Tippens who says that his lung cancer went into remission after he started taking fenbendazole, which is sold under the brand Panacur. The claims have been viewed millions of times on Facebook and other platforms.
Tippens says that he began taking the drug along with a mix of supplements and other treatments that include the spice curcumin, Vitamin C, and mega-doses of vitamin E. After only three months on the regimen, a PET scan revealed that his tumors were gone. Since then, every scan has been clear.
He credits the fenbendazole with saving his life, and says that he’s convinced that the medication is responsible for his cancer remission. “It’s the only thing I can think of that could do it,” he says.
In addition to fenbendazole, other benzimidazole anthelmintics have been used in labs to stop certain cancers from growing in mice, but they’re not approved for use in humans because they haven’t been tested in clinical trials. And, the FDA warns that the medications can cause serious side effects.
Several online resources have sprung up urging people to self-administer the drugs in the hopes that they will prevent or cure cancer, but experts warn that it’s not advisable. It’s a risk that many pet parents are willing to take, though, because they don’t want to lose their beloved pets to a terminal disease. That’s why it’s so important to discuss any alternative methods of treating your dog’s cancer with a veterinarian before starting a new regimen. They’ll be able to tell you if the treatment is appropriate for your pet and, if not, they can refer you to the right experts. This includes veterinarians who specialize in integrative oncology. These specialists have extensive training in the holistic approach to cancer care. They can work with you and your vet to develop an effective treatment plan. dog dewormer cancer