Can ozone therapy be a promising treatment for cancer in Pakistan? Explore the potential benefits and risks with expert insights on Meri Sehat.

Ozone Therapy For Breast Cancer

Overview

Breast cancer remains a significant health concern affecting millions of women and men worldwide. An estimated 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. According to experts&#39; estimates, the number of cases is projected to surge by 40% by the year 2040. Tragically, the number of lives lost to breast cancer is also expected to rise by 50%<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.

Despite advances in conventional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, there is an ongoing need for novel and effective treatment options. Current standard treatment options can be aggressive and often lead to various side effects, affecting patients&#39; quality of life. Furthermore, some <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/breast-cancer" target="_blank">breast cancers</a> become resistant to conventional therapies, making the development of alternative treatments imperative. 
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Ozone therapy, a complementary and alternative medicine approach, has emerged as a potential treatment for breast cancer. It involves the administration of medical-grade ozone gas (O3) into the body, either by injection, infusion, body saunas, or topical application.

Ozone therapy is being explored due to the theory that cancer cells flourish in low-oxygen environments, and ozone&#39;s potential to elevate oxygen levels may lead to the destruction and elimination of these cells. Additionally, ozone therapy has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can aid in managing cancer-related symptoms. 
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One in-vitro study assessed the effect of ozone therapy on metastatic breast cancer cells. The research aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity effect of ozone on breast cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells and assess its impact on cancer treatment<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.

The results of the study showed that ozone could be used as an antimetastatic procedure and as an adjuvant in cancer treatment. Ozone therapy can influence oxygen metabolism and regulation, restore normal metabolic activities, and enhance microcirculation in tumors, potentially halting tumor growth and preventing metastasis. 
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Researchers in Italy investigated the use of ozone therapy as a palliative therapy in cancer patients with fatigue<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. There were a total of 50 cancer patients, 15 of which had breast cancer. The study participants were either undergoing neoplastic treatment, had just ended the cancer therapy, or were part of a palliative setting. Patients received ozone therapy via auto hemotransfusion twice a week for a month and then bi-monthly as maintenance therapy. 
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As per the results, 70% of the study participants reported experiencing a significant improvement in their fatigue levels. Moreover, no significant side effects were recorded in any of the cancer patients.

The study concluded that ozone therapy does hold potential to be a valid supportive therapy for cancer patients with fatigue, both in a palliative setting and during treatment. 
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understanding potential benefits of ozone therapy for breast cancer

Ozone is a highly reactive form of oxygen that normally exists in the atmosphere. In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a report stating ozone is a toxic gas<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>. As per the report, ozone has no known useful medical application in specific, adjunctive, or preventive therapy. It can cause physiological effects on the central nervous system, heart, and vision, but its primary effect is irritation of the mucous membranes. Inhalation of ozone can lead to pulmonary edema, which can be delayed for hours after exposure and may not have immediate symptoms. Olfactory fatigue can occur, making the odor of ozone an unreliable indicator of atmospheric concentration.

While some research suggests ozone treatments may be safe, these studies lack standard systematic review methods and may have potential biases, making their conclusions unreliable<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>.

Safety assessments indicate that intravenous delivery of ozone, injections into the spinal area, or inhalation of ozone are likely to be unsafe. Moreover, there is limited reliable safety information on other ozone therapy methods<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>. 
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Certain health conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, leukemia, advanced stages of HIV, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, can make ozone therapy harmful to individuals<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>. Furthermore, the safety of ozone therapy in pregnant or nursing individuals is uncertain due to insufficient evidence.

Reports of adverse side effects from ozone therapy include hepatitis C infections from a transfusion of ozone-enriched blood and cases where intravenous delivery of ozone resulted in pulmonary embolism and death.

Given these risks and the lack of reliable safety data, it is essential for individuals considering ozone therapy as a treatment option for breast cancer to exercise caution and seek guidance from healthcare professionals. 
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Conclusion

While the idea of using ozone therapy as a treatment option for breast cancer is intriguing, its current status as a viable therapy remains uncertain. As with any experimental or alternative treatment, patients are advised to consult their oncologists and healthcare providers before considering ozone therapy. In the absence of substantial clinical evidence, conventional treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies, remain the gold standard for breast cancer management. 
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Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Breast cancer is a significant global health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates predicted in the coming years.</li>
	<li>Conventional breast cancer treatments can be aggressive and have side effects, making the need for alternative treatment options essential.</li>
	<li>Ozone therapy, a complementary and alternative medicine approach, has emerged as a potential treatment for breast cancer. It aims to increase oxygen levels in the body to potentially damage and kill cancer cells.</li>
	<li>Research shows ozone therapy may have cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells and could be used as an anti metastatic and adjuvant treatment.</li>
	<li>Ozone therapy has been studied as a palliative therapy for cancer-related fatigue, showing marked improvement in fatigue levels with no significant side effects.</li>
	<li>However, the safety of ozone therapy remains a concern, as ozone is a toxic gas with potential health risks. The FDA does not support its use for medical conditions.</li>
	<li>Safety assessments suggest that certain health conditions and ozone delivery methods may be unsafe, and adverse side effects have been reported.</li>
	<li>More research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of ozone therapy for breast cancer treatment.</li>
	<li>Patients considering ozone therapy should consult healthcare professionals and consider conventional treatments as the standard approach to breast cancer management in the absence of substantial clinical evidence for ozone therapy.</li>
</ul>

[1] Breast Cancer. World Health Organization.

[2] Current and future burden of breast cancer: global statistics for 2020 and 2040. International Agency for Research on Cancer.

[3] Yıldırım M, Erkişi S, Yılmaz H, et al. The apoptotic effect of ozone therapy on mitochondrial activity of highly metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 using in vitro approaches. J Interv Med. 2022;5(2):64-71. Published 2022 May 21. doi:10.1016/j.jimed.2022.03.004

[4] Tirelli U, Cirrito C, Pavanello M, Del Pup L, Lleshi A, Berretta M. Oxygen-ozone therapy as support and palliative therapy in 50 cancer patients with fatigue - A short report. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2018;22(22):8030-8033. doi:10.26355/eurrev_201811_16432