Acupuncture is widely used in cases of cancer, particularly during radiotherapy and chemotherapy, alongside care from the medical team. It is thought to stimulate the nervous system to release immune system cells and natural painkillers.
Some studies suggest acupuncture may be worthwhile for fatigue, hot flushes, nausea, vomiting and pain.
The most interesting study on acupuncture and breast cancer was published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” in 2000. In the study, 104 women on high-dose chemotherapy were suffering from nausea. In the group treated with acupuncture, the study reportedly observed either a complete absence of nausea or very minor episodes.
Another study carried out in 2002 at Duke University (United States) compared the effectiveness of acupuncture with anti-nausea medication before breast cancer surgery. The results were reportedly in favour of acupuncture over the medication.
Some studies suggest that acupuncture may help to relieve pain, alongside care from the medical team.
In a 2004 study at the Memorial Sloan Kettering centre, acupuncture reportedly improved episodes of fatigue by 31% across various types of cancer. In 2005, another study carried out in Sweden reportedly observed hot flushes reduced by half.
Keywords: Pink October, acupuncture, acupuncturist, screening, chemotherapy