How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Help Breast Cancer Patients

Learn the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for breast cancer patients with delayed radiation injury 

 

Many people who have battled breast cancer or witnessed a loved one going through breast cancer know that the battle isn’t over once radiation treatment ceases. 

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the United States besides skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026:

• About 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
• About 60,730 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.
• About 42,140 women will die from breast cancer. [1]

 

It’s not uncommon for breast cancer patients to seek treatment for the complications of their radiation therapy. Although radiation is highly effective at eliminating cancerous cells, it can also damage healthy cells, tissues, and nearby blood vessels in the process. As a result, breast cancer patients often face delayed radiation injuries for months or even years.

What you might not know is that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can help support healing from certain radiation-related complications. HBOT is not a treatment for breast cancer itself, but it may be used as part of a treatment plan for delayed radiation injury. 

HBOT uses 100% oxygen inside a pressurized hyperbaric chamber to increase the amount of oxygen available to damaged tissues. This increased oxygen delivery can support the formation of new blood vessels and the body’s natural healing processes.

Continue reading to learn about the potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for breast cancer patients experiencing delayed radiation injury.

 

How HBOT can help after breast cancer radiation treatment

For breast cancer patients experiencing delayed effects from radiation therapy, HBOT may help support healing and improve several common symptoms and tissue-related complications.

 

Reducing pain

Many patients suffering from delayed radiation injuries often deal with pain. In a study of 57 breast cancer patients treated with HBOT for late radiation-induced tissue toxicity, patients reported reductions in pain:

Before HBOT: 46% of patients had pain in the arm/shoulder
After HBOT: 17% of patients had pain in the arm/shoulder [2]
Before HBOT: 67% of patients had pain in the area of the affected breast
After HBOT: 15% of patients had pain in the area of the affected breast [2]

 

Reducing swelling

Delayed radiation injury can also contribute to swelling in the breast or surrounding areas. According to the same study:

Before HBOT: 45% of patients had swelling around the affected breast
After HBOT: 13% of patients had swelling around the affected breast [2]

 

Accelerating healing

HBOT is a noninvasive treatment that can help support wound healing by increasing oxygen delivery to damaged tissue and encouraging the growth of new blood vessels.

 

Reducing sensitivity 

HBOT may also help improve oversensitivity of the affected breast in patients experiencing late radiation tissue injury. According to the study:

Before HBOT: 54% of patients had oversensitivity of the affected breast
After HBOT: 15% of patients had oversensitivity of the affected breast [2]

 

Supporting radiation-damaged tissue

Radiation can lead to long-term changes in tissue, including fibrosis and reduced blood supply. By increasing oxygen delivery to affected areas, HBOT may support the healing of tissue damaged by radiation.

Before HBOT: 32% of patients had skin problems on/in the area of the affected breast
After HBOT: 11% of patients had skin problems on/in the area of the affected breast [2]

 

A larger 2021 study of 1,005 breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity also found significant improvements after HBOT, including reductions in pain, breast symptoms, and arm symptoms three months after treatment. [3]

More recent research has continued to examine these benefits. In a 2024 randomized clinical trial, moderate or severe fibrosis at follow-up was reported by 33% of women offered HBOT compared with 51% of women in the control group. [4]

 

A medically supervised, noninvasive treatment

HBOT uses 100% oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure and is administered under medical supervision. Your medical history, radiation-related symptoms, and individual condition should be evaluated to determine whether HBOT may be appropriate for you.

 

Learn more:
Myths vs Facts About Hyperbaric Treatment

 

Healing after breast cancer treatment

If you have completed breast cancer treatment but are still experiencing pain, swelling, tissue changes, or other complications following radiation therapy, there may be options available to support your continued healing.

At Hyperbaric Healing Treatment Center, our team works with patients experiencing delayed radiation injuries to determine whether HBOT may be an appropriate part of their recovery. You can also learn more about what to expect during your patient experience.

 

We work with all major insurance plans as well as out-of-pocket patients.

Contact us to schedule your consultation.

 

1: American Cancer Society | Key Statistics for Breast Cancer  
2: PubMed | Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for late radiation-induced tissue toxicity: prospectively patient-reported outcome measures in breast cancer patients
3: PubMed | The impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on late radiation toxicity and quality of life in breast cancer patients
4: PubMed | Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Late Local Toxic Effects in Patients With Irradiated Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial