A Sting Against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most popular cancers in women worldwide. For every eight people one person will develop breast cancer in their life. Treatments like radiation or chemotherapy can help the size of the tumor go down but often breast cancer is metastatic. This means that breast cancer comes back and spreads fast to other parts of the body. After recent discoveries a new treatment has come to light. Bee venom therapy has shown potential in targeting breast cancer cells.

Bee venom is a colorless, acidic liquid that bees use as a threat when they feel threatened. Bee venom has been used in many medical cases like arthritis or even just for skin health. The most useful component for cancer in bee venom is melittin. Melittin is a peptide made from 26 amino acids.

 Melittin breaks the protective skin of cancer cells and pushes itself into the cell membrane. After it enters the cancerous cells, it makes holes in the membrane causing it to leak and won’t survive. A study by Dr. Edina Wang showed the effects of bee venom after just one treatment,"With just one injection, we observed cancer cell death within six hours and the  therapeutic effect lasting for up to a week". This study not only shows that there is still continuing research for cancer treatments but also hope for people with breast cancer. 

With all treatments, especially cancer related treatments, there are side effects. Bee venom is still being researched so not all side effects are clear relating to humans. Most of the side effects are shown on animals, where most of the testing takes place. These side effects include pain, swelling, and redness. Additionally, this therapy can cause serious side effects like death if allergic causing anaphylaxis. 

Bee venom shows promising effects against cancer but needs further research and testing for worldwide use. The more trials and clinics involving bee venom, the more information healthcare workers can use to improve treatments and outcomes. Innovations like bee venom therapy remind us that life saving medication can come from any place, even the sting of a bee!

by Hadlie Darke-Schreiber at Incisionary

APA References

Breastcancer.org. (2025, July). Breast cancer facts and statistics. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.breastcancer.org/facts-statistics

Healthline. (n.d.). Bee venom: Uses, potential benefits, and risks. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bee-venom

Nature. (2020). Honeybee venom and melittin suppress growth factor receptor activation in HER2-enriched and triple-negative breast cancer. Precision Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41698-020-00129-0

Newsweek. (n.d.). Bee venom could help cure this type of cancer. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.newsweek.com/bee-venom-could-help-cure-type-cancer-2108354

UnderstandEBC Risk. (n.d.). Understand EBC Risk: Early breast cancer. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.understandebcrisk.com