H2O2 for Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer diseases affect as many as 17.9 million adults in the United States as of 2008. H2O2--more commonly known as hydrogen peroxide--is an alternative treatment approach that's based on the effects of oxygen on cancerous cell formations. Little scientific evidence exists to validate the treatment's effectiveness.

Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy

• According to the Metropolitan State College of Denver, the rate at which cancer cells spread is proportional to the amount of oxygen these cells receive. Cancer cells are said to thrive in low-oxygen environments, so the less oxygen present, the faster the cells spread. Hydrogen peroxide therapies attempt to surround these cells with oxygen and thereby stop the cells from spreading. The theory relies on the breakdown of H2O2 once it enters the body and the release of O2, or oxygen, into the cells.

Uses

• According to the American Cancer Society, H2O2 therapy falls within a larger classification of treatment approaches--called oxygen therapy--that administer some form of oxygen to the body. Besides hydrogen peroxide, ozone therapy--using an active form of oxygen gas--is another alternative approach in treating cancer. Hydrogen peroxide treatments can be administered orally or with an injection. In some cases, practitioners may advise individuals to soak affected areas in a diluted solution, because H2O2 can be absorbed through the skin.

Function

• Oxygen acts as a vital component within cellular metabolism processes, providing needed materials for healthy cell function. The addition of H202 in the body is intended to create an oxygen-rich environment that works to kill off cancer cells. Because of these effects, many alternative treatments for conditions such as heart disease, AIDS, and Alzheimer's disease are designed to increase the body's oxygen content, according to the American Cancer Society. And while oxygen can have a beneficial effect on cell function, the studies conducted using H202 therapy have had mixed results, with some even fatal.

Effects

• According to the American Cancer Society, a number of adverse effects have been attributed to ingesting or injecting H202. Hydrogen peroxide is sold in different strengths, or concentrations, with "food grade" peroxide containing 35 percent H202 as compared to the 3 percent concentration approved for topical use. When swallowed, hydrogen peroxide can cause burns along the throat and stomach and may cause vomiting. Fatalities have also occurred as a result of ingesting hydrogen peroxide. Direct contact with the skin can result in burns and blistering with the food grade solution.

Considerations

• According to the American Cancer Society, studies showed that direct injections of H202 into the blood and into developing tumors were ineffective in slowing or stopping cancer cell growth. This may be attributed in part to the lack of blood circulation that actually reaches tumor formations, so increasing the oxygen level around affected cells is difficult. Some research studies have attempted to combine hydrogen peroxide therapy with radiation and chemotherapy, though no conclusive results are available yet.