DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with stage 4 high-grade ovarian cancer in September 2024. I underwent a major surgery after the tumor shrank in March. I see a top doctor at a renowned hospital, and I trust him. I went through seven rounds of chemo with three different meds. I handled it well as I am very fit and 64 years old.

I am now on maintenance medications (Avastin and Lynparza). My numbers are going up. I know my outlook isn’t good, but I try to live my best life. I have a lot of different things to look forward to (marriages, grandbabies, etc.).

I have many friends who keep suggesting ivermectin as a treatment. (These people are also anti-vaxers.) I can’t fall into this group of people as I believe in modern medicine and have trusted my doctor. So, my question is: What are your thoughts about this treatment, and what have you heard about it within the medical community? — L.N.

ANSWER: I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but I congratulate you on your good attitude. The treatment for ovarian cancer has changed dramatically in the past few years. There are many treatments, and although they are often not able to cure cancer, they can keep cancer at bay — sometimes for many years, even decades. Having an important life event to look forward to is important to maintaining a good attitude.

As far as ivermectin goes, there is a small possibility that it will turn out to be a useful treatment for cancer. I have read some preclinical studies that suggested some benefit. However, no studies that were done on actual people have proven it to be useful for any cancer so far. Many promising turn out to be failures after the initial clinical trials.

There are people who feel that there are hidden treatments for cancer and that there is a massive conspiracy to keep successful cancer treatments from being used. Having known many doctors and research scientists who unfortunately died from cancer themselves, I can assure you that this isn’t the case. Many scientists across the globe are working hard to find new treatments, and every year brings incremental benefits.

Ivermectin is the most recent “miracle treatment” that I have heard about. I can recall easily at least a half dozen miracle treatments in the past 20 years that haven’t turned out to be useful. Some of these are not only useless but are actively harmful. While ivermectin is generally safe when dosed appropriately for its indication of treating parasites, it can be dangerous at high doses.

I respect the use of alternative treatments to manage the symptoms that are caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. However, people who rely on alternative treatments for treatment of their cancer do not do as well as people who are getting the best care that modern medicine currently has to offer.

I recommend that you thank your friends for their advice and tell them that you trust your medical team and will follow what your doctor recommends.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. (c) 2025 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved