If you or a loved one have been undergoing treatment for cancer, you will know about the effects the drugs take on the body and the side effects of treatment. Although not a cure for cancer itself, there are a number of benefits of HbOT for cancer patients going through radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Recent research has shown that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has a range of benefits for patients receiving cancer treatments, which we will go through in detail later in this article.
HbOT delivers almost pure oxygen into the body’s tissues and organs at a high pressure.
It is a drug-free and non-invasive complementary therapy that improves the flow of oxygen into the body, promoting the natural healing process by decreasing inflammation, preventing infection, and strengthening the immune system.
Moreover, HBOT has minimal side effects and can safely be used as a complementary therapy to other cancer treatments and therapies.
Please Note: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy complements conventional cancer treatments. We do not recommend it as an alternative treatment to tradition medicine. If you are unsure, please consult your doctor.
In a review bringing together 18 studies from 1985-2022 in the US National Library of Medicine, the author concluded that HbOT improved the outcomes for patients with LRTI (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection), affecting their head, neck, bladder and rectum – often occurring in patients receiving radiation treatment for certain types of cancer.
The review went on to state that HbOT lowered the risk of wounds bursting open and reduced pain from head and neck radiation therapy.
Furthermore, a 2021 research article examining HbOT as a potential complementary therapy for cancer in mice, found that its use boosted survival rates and reduced tumour development in mice with breast cancer.
When HbOT was used in conjunction with chemotherapy, the survival rate in the mice improved without increasing side effects because chemotherapy medications were able to penetrate tumour cells more effectively.
The study discovered that the effect of HbOT in raising the oxygen levels in the tumour microenvironment had two benefits:
Because many solid cancers are hypoxic, improved oxygenation delivered into body tissues including the microenvironment of tumours from HbOT treatments, can enhance the penetration of chemotherapy into cancer cells and make them more sensitive to the effects of radiation therapy.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HbOT) enables patients to breathe in virtually pure oxygen while resting in a pressurised chamber.
The effect is to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood, leading to improved tissue oxygenation, stimulating new blood vessel formation, and enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal.
Although studies have stated that more testing in humans is required, the potential benefits of HbOT for cancer patients include:
Improve the oxygenation of tumour tissue, making it more vulnerable to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
HBOT may help mitigate side effects of radiation therapy, such as skin irritation, fatigue, and hair loss, by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of tissue affected by the cancer treatment.
HBOT can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, promoting the healing of radiation-induced tissue damage and surgical wounds.
For more about the how HbOT can aid wound healing, read our recent blog on this subject.
HBOT can improve oxygen levels in the tumour microenvironment, The reduction in levels of hypoxia can potentially make tumours more susceptible to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
HBOT may enhance the effectiveness of other cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, by boosting the function of the immune system.
HbOT treatments provide several benefits to cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy, particularly in improving their quality of life through helping to manage side effects of conventional cancer treatments.
There are several side effects from radiation therapy, including: Radiation cystitis, radiation proctitis, osteoradionecrosis and soft tissue necrosis.
Because hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases the delivery of oxygen into these damaged tissues, it promotes the formation of new blood vessels and tissue repair and reduces inflammation.
Some of the drugs used in chemotherapy cancer treatments can have serious side-effects such as fatigue, poor wound healing, and tissue toxicity.
However, HbOT may reduce the effects of some treatments by supporting cellular repair, improving the immune function and tissue repair.
It can also improve memory, focus and mental clarity in patients suffering from what is known as ‘chemo-brain’ through neurogenesis and improved blood flow to the brain.
(We talked more about cognitive improvements (brain fog) in the blog titled HbOT treatment for long COVID symptoms.)
Many cancer patients undergo surgery for the removal of tumours or reconstructive surgery and HbOT can help these patients by reducing the risk of infection, speeding up the healing process and supporting the viability of skin grafts.
For more on managing pre- and post-surgery health risks with HbOT, please read this article.
Scar tissue can leave patients with post-treatment problems such as pain and stiffness.
HbOT treatments can help to reduce chronic pain caused by radiation fibrosis and promote feelings of wellbeing.
If you or a loved one are currently receiving cancer treatment, you will know that is it both a challenging and life-changing experience.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy offers a number of potential benefits for cancer patients who are receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy including:
Oxify centres in Leeds, Manchester, Retford, York, or Newcastle (Gateshead), are staffed by our caring and knowledgeable team members, who will put you at ease and discuss options for your treatment.
If you prefer, you can book either a taster session or a full session by choosing your location and following the instructions on screen.
Should you want to find out more about HbOT treatments as a complementary therapy, please complete our contact form and a friendly team member will call you back to discuss the benefits of HbOT for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
