The composition includes a chemical depilatory that may be used in a method of destroying cancer and/or tumor cells and removing the resulting debris from the body. The composition includes thioglycolate and is directly applied to the cancer and/or tumor target cells to interrupt and disable their functioning. This method is unique because it enables the composition to affect the cancer and/or tumor cells without being transported by a carrier through the body to them. This anti-cancer and anti-tumor treatment not only targets the abnormal cells, but also eradicates the microorganisms in the tissue at the target site, which prevents the abnormal growth from recurring due to the presence of residual microorganisms that may trigger formation of dysplastic cells.