Date of Award

Spring 5-2025

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Kauffman, Russ

Keywords

breast cancer, vitamin C, high dose vitamin C, anti-cancer mechanisms, complimentary medicine, chemotherapy associated side effects

Abstract

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies globally, emphasizing the need for adjunct therapies to enhance treatment outcomes and improve patient care. Current breast cancer treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, are often effective but are frequently associated with significant side effects that can impact treatment tolerance and quality of life. This review examines the effectiveness of high-dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C as an adjunct therapy in breast cancer treatment, specifically its potential to reduce tumor size and alleviate chemotherapy-associated side effects. A literature review was performed using electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar from April to June 2024 which yielded seven studies. The review of the literature suggests that high-dose IV vitamin C may selectively induce prooxidative effects on tumor cells while its antioxidant properties help mitigate the toxic effects of chemotherapy, ultimately improving patients' quality of life. Integrating this therapy into clinical practice and the management of breast cancer patients shows promising potential for enhancing treatment outcomes and tolerability. However, further research and clinical trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy as a complementary therapy in breast cancer care.

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