What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a literature review of published reports and studies from 1960-1993 to investigate a possible cancer-causing or growth-enhancing effect of hyperbaric oxygen.
What They Found
Researchers identified 24 references, comprising 12 clinical reports and 11 animal studies, to assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen on cancer. The majority of these reports, specifically 10 out of 13 clinical reports and 10 out of 12 animal studies, found no cancer growth enhancement, while only 3 clinical and 2 animal studies suggested a positive effect.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy for various medical conditions can be reassured that this treatment is unlikely to cause or promote cancer. This review suggests that concerns about hyperbaric oxygen's role in cancer development or progression are largely unfounded based on current literature.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it is a literature review without specific Canadian data or authors.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this review is its reliance on literature published only up to 1993, potentially missing more recent findings on hyperbaric oxygen and cancer.