Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a nationwide event that is held annually in October to increase awareness and support of breast cancer and breast cancer research. Emphasis is placed greatly on education, early detection screenings, and community support for those affected. Treatments have continued to improve throughout the years thank to support and research funding with the most common treatment methods being surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
While treatments are often successful in eliminating breast cancer, they can have damaging effects later on. Patients may experience non-healing wounds from surgery, failed skin grafts or flaps, or soft tissue damage caused by radiation therapy. Beverly Hospital’s Center for Advanced Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine can restore health and improve the quality of life of cancer survivors by using comprehensive wound care.
One method used at the wound care center is hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. During the course of treatment, 100% pure oxygen is breathed inside a pressurized chamber, helping blood to carry more oxygen to organs and tissues. This therapy is indicated by the Underwater and Hyperbaric Medical Society as a treatment for a variety of cancer-related complications.
“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a great choice for people that develop complications from open wounds or radiation. It significantly improves the patient’s quality of life and provides them better functionality in their everyday life,” said Maria Rios, RN and Program Director at the Wound Care Center.
Many studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the many benefits of HBO in treating cancer-related complications. This treatment works by increasing oxygen levels in damaged tissues, stimulating growth of new blood vessels, and enhancing immune cell function. These are all important factors that contribute to wound healing and increase overall quality of life in patients.
Beverly Hospital’s Center for Advanced Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine stands in support with the more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., including patients who are undergoing treatment and those who have completed it. If you or a loved one have a non-healing wound related to breast cancer or other cancer treatment, we are here to help.
Quality Care Is Here
The Center for Advanced Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Beverly Hospital provides a comprehensive approach to treating patients with non-healing wounds. It is open Monday – Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm and is located at 413 N Poplar Ave., Montebello, CA 90640. For more information about wound care, diabetes assistance, or to schedule an appointment, please call (323) 725-5066
References
- American Cancer Society. “How Common is Breast Cancer?” 8 January 2020. Accessed 21 September 2020. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
- American Cancer Society. “Treating Breast Cancer.” Accessed 21 September 2020. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment.html
- Jones MW, Cooper JS. Hyperbaric Therapy for Skin Grafts and Flaps. StatPearls [Internet]. 27 April 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470219/
- Buboltz JB, Hendriksen S, Cooper JS. Hyperbaric Soft Tissue Radionecrosis. StatPearls [Internet]. 26 July 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482261/
- Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Indications, 13th Edition. The Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee Report.
