Hydrogen Peroxide

This treatment modality is used in place of conventional therapies to treat cancer. Seek advice from a qualified physician before replacing standard cancer therapy with hydrogen peroxide therapy.

What does hydrogen peroxide therapy involve?

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen molecules. It is a common household solution that is used as a disinfectant, in toothpaste and mouthwash and as a bleaching agent. It is also used in a variety of industrial processes from chemical manufacturing to rocket fuel. In health food stores, 30% solutions of hydrogen peroxide have been advertised as a cancer remedy. Treatments with hydrogen peroxide are also called hyperoxygenation, oxymedicine, oxidative therapy, bio-oxidative therapy and oxydology. Hydrogen peroxide is administered orally, rectally, by injection, or by soaking affected parts of the body in the solution.

How is hydrogen peroxide thought to treat cancer?

Based on the work of two time Nobel Prize in Medicine recipient Otto Warburg, M.D., proponents believe that cancer cells grow best in an environment of little oxygen, or anaerobic conditions. It is claimed that the administration of hydrogen peroxide, an oxygen-rich solution, restores the proper oxygen balance and selectively attacks and kills cancer cells. 

What has been proven about the benefit of hydrogen peroxide treatment?

According the American Cancer Society, there is no scientific evidence that hydrogen peroxide is a safe, effective or useful cancer treatment. Current mainstream medical applications of hydrogen peroxide are limited to 1.5% to 3% solutions used as surface disinfectants and wound cleansers.

What is the potential risk or harm of hydrogen peroxide treatment?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that hydrogen peroxide solutions concentrated above ten percent are toxic. It can be harmful to breathe vapors, ingest or have skin contact with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide ingestion can also result in chemical burns in the throat and severe poisoning.

How much does hydrogen peroxide treatment cost?

Hydrogen peroxide solutions can be purchased at any pharmacy. Higher concentrated solutions are available in many health food stores. The cost will vary with the pharmacy or health food store.

For additional information:

American Cancer Society
1599 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA  30329
Telephone:  (800) ACS-2345
Web site:  www.cancer.org

Note: Information about therapies is intended to help you make informed choices, not to endorse any particular therapy. The information is courtesy of "Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer Patients," a handbook written as an independent study project by Heather Morein. For more information, see the full text of the handbook (PDF), including all references and appendices.