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COMPLIMENTARY therapies for cancer
WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing almost pure oxygen in a special room or small chamber. Generally used by those wishing to give their body a quick boost in health & vitality. It enhances healing in people with various other conditions and energises your body, giving you the general feeling of strength & wellbeing.
It is great for anti ageing, pain relief, reduce swelling, creating new stem cell production, stimulates new collagen / new tissue, creates new blood flow & circulation.
HBOT not only highly oxygenates the red bloods but by the chamber being safely pressurised during treatment, it actually causes your plasma which usually only carries 2% oxygen molecules to be enriched and super oxygenated.
This enables the oxygen rich plasma to flow into hypoxic (low oxygen) areas and tissue in the body where the red blood cells can’t reach. This improves, restores and regenerates the once inefficient or dead cells. This is just 1 of thousands benefits that HBOT has on our body.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy suppresses Cancer growth:
Low levels within tumour cells (tumour hypoxia) is a major signal for these cancer cells to produce more blood vessels (angiogenesis) and rapidly glow. Not only does that make them much more aggressive, but it also makes them much more resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This is truly a dangerous combination and why there has been so much attention in the medical field (and with oncologists) to reduce tumour hypoxia.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is one of the most effective, and most practical, ways to alleviate tumour hypoxia. The results are extremely promising and researchers concluded 'HBOT significantly suppressed tumour growth in both the triple positive and negative tumours."
Despite the fact that behaviour and prognosis of the triple positive and negative subtypes of cancer are different, the HBOT had a similar suppressive effect on tumour growth, indicating that they share a common oxygen dependant anti-tumour mechanism. Furthermore, HBOT significantly reduced the number and area of metazoic lesions in the triple negative model."
RED LIGHT THERAPY
HOW DOES RED LIGHT THERAPY WORK?
Red light is thought to work by producing a biochemical effect in cells that strengthens the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell — it’s where the cell’s energy is created. The energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things is called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). By increasing the function of the mitochondria using RLT, a cell can make more ATP. With more energy, cells can function more efficiently, rejuvenate themselves, and repair damage.
HOW RED LIGHT THERAPY CAN HELP YOU?
Red light therapy, also known as low-level light therapy or photobiomodulation, is a non-invasive treatment that uses red or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular function and promote healing. While red light therapy has been studied for various health conditions, its effectiveness in treating cancer is still under investigation, and it is not considered a standard treatment for cancer.
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Reducing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: Oral mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. It involves inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat. Some studies have explored the use of red light therapy to alleviate the symptoms of oral mucositis and promote healing of the affected tissues.
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Enhancing wound healing: Cancer treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy, can cause wounds that may be slow to heal. Red light therapy has been investigated as a potential adjunctive treatment to accelerate wound healing in cancer patients. It is thought to stimulate cellular activity and promote tissue repair.
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Managing cancer-related skin reactions: Radiation therapy can cause skin reactions, such as radiation dermatitis, which can be uncomfortable and affect a patient's quality of life. Some studies have explored the use of red light therapy to alleviate radiation-induced skin reactions and improve the overall condition of the skin.
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Chronic pain management: Red light therapy has been studied as a non-invasive treatment option for chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders. It is believed to help reduce pain and inflammation by promoting blood circulation and stimulating cellular activity.
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Hair growth: Red light therapy has been explored as a potential treatment for hair loss conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). It is believed to stimulate hair follicles, improve blood flow to the scalp, and promote hair growth.
SUCCESS STORIES
Laura mahon
At the age of 29, Laura Mahon experienced a concerning development during her 20th week of pregnancy. She awoke unable to move her toes, and as the week progressed, she lost sensation in a significant portion of her right leg. Her GP promptly referred her to The Walton Centre in Liverpool for an MRI scan. The results revealed a terminal glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumor, presenting Laura with a challenging decision: to deliver her baby prematurely at 30 weeks, or potentially jeopardize her own wellbeing. Consequently, beautiful baby Sienna entered the world on November 30, 2021. On December 9th, Laura underwent an MRI scan with contrast dye, which indicated a nearly twofold increase in the size of the tumour. Laura was informed that it had become inoperable due to its location on her motor cortex, making removal unsafe. The only viable option was a biopsy, which was performed the next day. Unfortunately, only approximately 20% of the tumor could be extracted.
Laura has completed various courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy throughout 2022, however at a routine scan in January 2023 it showed new activity in another part of Laura's brain. Towards the end of February, she started getting headaches, her symptoms became worse, and she experienced another seizure. An emergency MRI which showed her tumour had grown and there were more new areas of activity.
“I now only have a few treatment options left on the NHS. Danny and I are truly heartbroken but we always knew this would eventually be the outcome, we just thought we would have more time. Oxygen therapy and red light therapy has not just improved my general health and well-being it’s improved my mental health aswell. I was in a bad place after getting the news in February but coming to see you and Dave has helped not just me but Danny massively and we will be forever grateful to the foundation. It’s so nice to see the changes in my health and I’m starting to feel ‘normal me’ again which is something I never thought I’d feel again”
At the end of 2022 Ahead Of The Game reached out to Laura to signpost her to receive alternative therapies such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & Red Light Therapy. Alongside her current chemotherapy, in August 2023 Laura received a stable scan with some shrinkage too!
BIANCA PEREA
When Ahead Of The Game met Bianca in 2022, she was recently diagnosed and currently undergoing treatment with various treatment related after side effects. However Bianca did not allow this to stop her research into changing her prognosis with the help of alternative therapies.
Sadly some Oncologists will not support or recommend alternative therapies alongside traditional treatment such as chemotherapy & radiotherapy. Bianca's testimonial is a story of hope and showcases of the true results, not only external but internally too!
" I was diagnosed Nov 2021 with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer with Liver Mets after a gut feeling telling me to go to the doctors in September 2021. I'd started to get increased bloating and constipation although nothing debilitating as I was still working full time and enjoying a very active lifestyle of gym classes, runs, playing netball, dog walks and a full social life too therefore, this diagnosis came as quite the shock. I had a stoma/colostomy 5 days after being diagnosed and began chemotherapy two weeks after this. As of April 2023 I have had 28 rounds of chemo and to say it is brutal is putting it simply. However in September 2022 I came across the Ahead of the Game Foundation and reached out to them...what a fabulous, utterly amazing decision this was for me. Since September I have been visiting the clinic 2-3 times per week for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Infrared Light Therapy and occasionally Infrared Sauna when my diary allows...the results are unbelievable! "
" So along with chemotherapy, AOTG therapies, Care Oncology Clinic prescription of lower toxicity drugs and other holistic therapies including Reiki, Meditation, Yoga, Dietary changes and having an immensely supportive network of family and friends. Whilst also using my voice more than ever before to advocate for myself, I've recently been given the go ahead for my first surgery which I was told wouldn't be an option when first diagnosed.
I was also approached by a Leeds surgeion who due to my incredible results, have put me forward as one of the first UK bowel cancer thriver, to undergo a new procedure originating in Norway and already performed in Canada, Spain & Portugal. This procedure will perform a part liver transplant! "
