Does blood pH change in cancer patients?

Background: The pH of our blood is tightly regulated by a complex system of buffers which remains at work consistently to maintain the pH range from 7.35 to 7.45 that is slightly more alkaline than pure water. Blood needs to maintain a pH of 7.35 to 7.45 for cells to function properly and all of the proteins that work in our body has to maintain a specific geometric shape to function. The three-dimensional shapes of the proteins in our body are affected by the tiniest changes in the pH of body fluids. Thus present study has been undertaken to evaluate any change in blood pH of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Blood samples of 200 individuals were taken for the study which was divided into 3 groups. Group A- 40 individuals without cancer, Group B - 70 cancer patients prior treatment and Group C - 70 cancer patients during treatment. pH meter was used for assay. Results: There was no significant statistical difference (p>0.05) observed in all groups as compared to normal during the period of the study. Conclusion: This study showed that blood pH does not alter in cancer patients prior treatment and during treatment, hence consumption of acidic or alkaline food and even cancer chemotherapy are not responsible for making any change in blood pH of an individual.