Managing Symptoms During Late-Stage Cancer-- Complimentary Palliative Care
Reality TV star Jonnie Irwin, 49, says he is using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help manage his stage 4 lung cancer symptoms.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for treating underlying hypoxia” and helps with some infections. However, this treatment option remains inconclusive for actually helping cancer patients, according to several studies on its impact. The Food and Drug Administration stressed this treatment option does not “cure cancer, Lyme disease, autism or Alzheimer’s disease.”
To be clear, this is complimentary care and not something experts recommend to replace treatments which have data and peer reviewed research to support their use.
Irwin has been undergoing hospice care since his diagnosis to help provide him comfort despite his cancer. He recently admitted his perception of late-stage palliative care for cancer is not what he expected. He praised his care team for taking his mind off his prognosis.
Irwin’s cancer has since spread, or metastasized, to his brain. However, the beloved and optimistic father of three is focusing on the positives in his life by creating memories and experiences with his family.
“Escape to the Country” reality TV star Jonnie Irwin, 49, defies the odds and inspires his army of supporters amid his stage 4 lung cancer battle. Occasionally, he shares elements of his palliative care to help him remain as comfortable as possible. He recently shared that he’s using a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to help him manage his symptoms. To be clear, this is complimentary care and not something experts recommend to replace treatments which have data and peer reviewed research to support their use.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am with the hyperbaric oxygen chamber,” Irwin wrote in an Instagram post.
A hyperbaric chamber is an enclosure where a user breathes oxygen above normal atmospheric pressure. This device was also used by the late philanthropist Sherry Pollex, who passed away from ovarian cancer.
“It’s great for people with my condition but also for recovery from injuries and general wellness…This chamber is perfect for me; no feelings of claustrophobia, and it’s just big enough to get my favorite comfy chair in it. I actually look forward to each session knowing that it’s doing me good whilst being able to do a bit of work,” Irwin said.
Jonnie Irwin teases TV return amid stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis. (Photo: Instagram/JonnieIrwintv)
Supportive fans of the beloved TV presenter chimed in, noting how well he’s looked in recent weeks.
“I’ve noticed that you are looking good in recent posts, Jonnie. Keep it up,” Instagram user Simon Bell wrote.
“It is a marvelous treatment. The chamber brought relief to my husband, who suffered from advanced Parkinson’s,” Instagram user Jennifer Jackson wrote.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Cancer Patients Remains Inconclusive
Research published in Medical Gas Research says, “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for treating underlying hypoxia” and helps with some infections.
The Food and Drug Administration adds that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat various health conditions. However, it does not “cure cancer, Lyme disease, autism or Alzheimer’s disease” despite some misinformation on the device.
Research published in Scientific Reports in 2021 studied the impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on human lung carcinoma in mice.
“Our results demonstrated that HBOT could improve tumor vascularity, tumor hypoxia and potentially target apoptosis-related genes leading to tumor suppression in A549 (lung cancer)-transferred SCID mice,” the researchers said in their findings.
Ongoing studies show resorting to hyperbaric oxygen therapy amid cancer treatment indicates inconclusive results. In some cases, research published in Dovepress says that depriving cancer cells and tumors of oxygen “plays a pivotal role in the process of cancer progression and dissemination.”
They add that “hypoxia signifies increased tumor progression and aggressiveness hampering patients’ survival,” suggesting, like other studies on the subject, more research is needed on HBOT’s impact on cancer patients.
This form of therapy comes with minimal risks, including ear and sinus pain and temporary vision changes.
Jonnie Irwin’s cancer journey began when symptoms arrived in August 2020. His first symptom occurred during a filming trip when his vision went blurry while driving. After he returned home, he was told he had metastatic lung cancer that had spread to his brain.
WATCH: Diagnosing Lung Cancer.
One of the most problematic parts of lung cancer is its lack of symptoms until the cancer has already spread, says SurvivorNet medical advisor Dr. Joseph Friedberg. However, once a person suspected of having lung cancer experiences symptoms, their doctor can further investigate the cause with an X-ray to look for anything unusual.
“The question is, well, what stage is it? And so, at this point, the entire workup is an effort to try and determine, do we think that the cancer is spread anywhere? And the things that you would ask for about lung cancer– specifically, any change in your breathing? Do you have a cough? Have you lost any weight? Do you have any pain anywhere? All of these things start to tick off in your head whether they have other potential problems,” Dr. Friedberg said.
Some people with lung cancer may experience symptoms like:
A cough that doesn’t go away, that gets worse, or that brings up bloody phlegm
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Chest pain
Hoarse voice
Appetite loss
Weight loss
Irwin has since taken chemotherapy and other cancer drugs to help prolong his life, but Irwin knows his disease does not technically have a cure. Still, he’s focusing on the positive, which includes his supportive wife, Jessica Holmes, and their three toddler-age boys.
“One day, this is going to catch up with me,” Irwin said during an interview with the U.K.-based news outlet “The Sun.”
“But I’m doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible. I owe that to Jess and our boys. Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family.”
Jonnie Irwin, 49, spends time with his children. (Photo: Instagram/JonnieIrwintv)
Earlier this summer, Irwin revealed he would go into hospice care periodically when he’s not feeling well. He adds going into hospice to receive comfort care helps mask his diagnosis from his children. In a television interview with “BBC Morning Live,” he revealed he’s been going to hospice care since his diagnosis roughly three years ago.
However, since he underwent palliative care, it’s changed his outlook on what late-stage cancer care is like.
“It’s a delight, actually. My perception of the hospice was very much a boiling hot room full of people who looked frail and towards the end of their days. This is nothing of the sort. It’s spacious, energized, and comfortable. I mean, it’s even got a jacuzzi bath and ensuite rooms, and the staff are just amazing. So I’ve had a really, really good experience at my hospice,” Irwin explained.
WATCH: Cancer patients finding joy during treatment.
Experts like Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecological oncologist at Arizona Center for Cancer Care, say people with cancer should make time to do things that make them happy. Focusing on things that bring joyful emotions can help your overall emotional health. This appears to be something the brave and resilient Irwin is doing in his life.
“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Chase said.
“So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities,” Dr. Chase says.
Kavontae Smalls is a writer and reporter for SurvivorNet. Read More
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