How Hyperbarics Can Help Support your body Through Cancer Treatments
Cancer and its treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation place significant stress on the body. These therapies can reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, slow healing, and cause side effects such as fatigue, tissue damage, and pain. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream by delivering oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure. This enhanced oxygen availability can support tissue repair, recovery from treatment-related injury, and overall quality of life for individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment (Thom, 2009).
1. Supporting Healing of Radiation-Damaged Tissue
Radiation therapy can damage healthy tissue surrounding tumors, leading to long-term side effects such as fibrosis, delayed wound healing, and tissue necrosis. HBOT is well established as a supportive therapy for radiation-induced tissue injury, helping restore oxygen to damaged areas and stimulate tissue repair. Improved oxygenation supports healthier blood vessel growth and tissue regeneration, which may improve comfort and function in affected areas (Efrati & Ben-Jacob, 2014).
2. Improving Recovery After Cancer-Related Surgery
Surgical procedures for cancer often involve large incisions and stressed tissues that require significant healing. HBOT helps deliver oxygen to surgical sites where circulation may be compromised, supporting wound healing and tissue strength. By enhancing oxygen availability, HBOT may reduce recovery time, support incision healing, and lower the risk of post-operative complications (Thom, 2009).
3. Supporting Immune Function and Infection Resistance
Cancer treatments can weaken the immune system, increasing vulnerability to infection. HBOT supports immune cell activity by improving oxygen availability in tissues where white blood cells fight infection. Higher tissue oxygen levels help strengthen the body’s natural defense mechanisms, supporting safer healing during and after cancer treatment (Heyboer et al., 2017).
4. Enhancing Quality of Life During Recovery
Many individuals undergoing cancer treatment experience fatigue, discomfort, and reduced physical resilience. By supporting tissue oxygenation and recovery processes, HBOT may help individuals feel stronger, more comfortable, and better able to tolerate ongoing treatment or recovery demands. For this reason, HBOT is often used as a supportive therapy to improve overall well-being rather than as a cancer-targeting treatment (Efrati & Ben-Jacob, 2014).
Important Note
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy does not treat or cure cancer. It is used as a supportive therapy to help the body heal from cancer treatments and manage treatment-related complications.
