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Antivaccine nonsense Cancer Medicine Quackery

Are ivermectin and fenbendazole the new laetrile? (Part two: ivermectin)

Last week, I noticed fenbendazole being “repurposed” to treat cancer. Now it’s ivermectin. Truly, in the age of COVID-19 these two drugs are the new laetrile.

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Cancer Medicine Quackery

Kevin Hennings vs. stage IV colon cancer: Are ivermectin and fenbendazole the new laetrile? (Part one: fenbendazole)

An interview by Jim Breuer with Kevin Hennings, who has stage IV colon cancer, that’s gone viral reminds me that alternative cancer cure testimonials never change; only the cures do. Truly, febendazole is the new laetrile.

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Cancer Complementary and alternative medicine Medicine Quackery Skepticism/critical thinking

No alternative medicine ever disappears when shown to be ineffective: The case of laetrile

I recently took a review course in general surgery to prepare for my board recertification examination in December and realized just how much the standard of care had changed in the decade since I last recertified. Then I learned that laetrile is still a thing. If there’s one thing that demonstrates the difference between alternative medicine and real medicine, it’s how no alternative medicine treatment ever goes away, no matter how often it’s shown not to work. Ever.

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Cancer Complementary and alternative medicine Medicine Politics Quackery

The FDA cracks down on bogus cancer “cures.” Will this be the last time this happens until after Trump?

This week, the FDA sent warning letters to 14 companies making unsupported claims that their products can treat cancer. Given the new administration’s determination to deregulate almost everything, but especially the FDA, is this the last time in the foreseeable future that such a crackdown will occur?

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Cancer Complementary and alternative medicine Medicine Quackery Skepticism/critical thinking

Alternative Fake medicine endangers another cancer patient’s life

Kellyanne Conaway inadvertently gave us one of the most descriptive terms ever: Alternative facts. Alternative medicine is a lot like alternative facts in that it is unmoored from reality. Like alternative facts, it can also kill.