Silver and Esophageal Cancer: Understanding the Claims and Risks

According to the National Cancer Institute, esophageal cancer strikes over 16,000 new patients every year, with approximately 14,500 patients dying from the disease annually. Many alternative therapies have developed, including silver, usually diluted in water and sold as "colloidal" silver.

Function

• Colloidal silver, the most-common therapeutic type of silver marketed for diseases such as esophageal cancer, is known to kill germs, bacteria and viruses on contact. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows colloidal silver manufacturers to claim that their products promote immune health.

Considerations

• Makers of colloidal silver can not claim that their product cures any specific disease, including esophageal cancer, according to FDA regulations. In addition, studies have proven that taking large amounts of silver compounds is potentially harmful. Some patients have developed a bluish tint to their skin.

Recommendations

• If taking silver preparations or tonics for esophageal cancer, you need to favor the recommendations given by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the manufacturer's instructions. The EPA reports that it is safe to take .005 mg of silver for every 2.2 pounds of body weight on a daily basis. Keep in mind, however, that no scientific data proves that silver compounds cure or improve esophageal cancer.