Breast cancer awareness month: Acupuncture for people with a diagnosis of breast cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a good opportunity to find out more about what people with a diagnosis of breast cancer may experience during and after cancer treatment. And to find out how acupuncture can help.
How common is breast cancer?
The most common cancer in the UK, breast cancer accounts for 30% of cancer diagnoses in females.
One in seven females will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. It also affects males, but only accounts for about 390 new cases every year. Thanks to improved screening, early diagnosis, and new and improved cancer treatments, most people can expect to survive for many years after diagnosis and treatment.
What are the cancer treatments?
There are over 20 types of breast cancer. Treatment will vary depending on many factors and is usually a combination of interventions, including surgery, radiotherapy, and/or one or more systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT). SACTs include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapies.
What are the consequences of breast cancer treatment?
Each of these interventions may have side effects, or consequences, which may be uncomfortable or unpleasant. Some are temporary and disappear when cancer treatment ends, such as chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Others may arise during treatment and continue after treatment ends, such chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (altered sensation in the hands and/or feet).
Many oncologists advise patients that unpleasant consequences, such as fatigue, can be expected to disappear by a year after primary treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) ends. Side effects of hormonal therapies, such as hot flushes or joint aches and pains (arthralgia) may continue for many years until this treatment ends. And some consequences, such as lymphoedema, may have a life-long impact.
Pain, dry mouth, sleep problems are other examples of physical consequences. Emotional consequences include anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, and/or fear of recurrence. It is possible to experience several consequences at the same time.
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What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. Fine needles are inserted at certain sites on the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes. Traditional acupuncture is based on the theory that “qi” or energy flows through the body in channels or meridians. Illness results when the qi does not flow as it should; acupuncture restores the correct flow and improves health.
Research shows that the body responds to acupuncture needling by releasing chemicals and hormones that contribute to improving health.
How can acupuncture help people with breast cancer?
Acupuncture is not used to cure cancer; it is used to help manage the physical and emotional consequences of cancer treatment. Five reasons for using acupuncture are:
1. It is acceptable to people with breast cancer and to their oncologists: one research study reported that of the healthcare professionals surveyed, 50% suggested it to breast cancer survivors experiencing hot flushes, and over 50% of those women who used it reported it as being helpful.
2. It is widely researched: acupuncture is recommended by prominent cancer organisations for managing consequences including many forms of cancer-treatment related pain. With specific reference to breast cancer, it can be useful for reducing anxiety and for many other symptoms including mood disturbance and depressive symptoms, post treatment fatigue, quality of life, hot flushes, as well as cancer induced nausea and vomiting.
3. It offers a non-pharmacological option for treating consequences of cancer: many breast cancer survivors do not wish to take medications in addition to those essential for managing cancer. Research shows that acupuncture can be as effective as medications for treating symptoms like hot flushes, and that there are few, if any, side effects of acupuncture treatment (unlike many medications).
4. Several symptoms can be addressed in the same treatment: for example, treatments for hot flushes can also improve sleep and energy levels, reduce anxiety, and improve confidence.
5. It is safe: there are few adverse effects associated with acupuncture. Those reported include slight, temporary pain at the needling site, slight bleeding, and sometime bruising. Occasionally people might feel light-headed or faint. They may feel tired after treatment.
In summary, acupuncture offers an evidence-informed, safe, effective, non-pharmacological treatment for many of the consequences of cancer treatment. Furthermore, many breast cancer survivors say that acupuncture has helped them cope much better with their cancer, and many say, “acupuncture has given me my life back”.
What does it feel like?
Breast cancer survivors are often surprised to find that acupuncture is a relaxing therapy! Acupuncture needles are fine (almost as fine as a hair) and are not inserted into veins, so they feel quite different from medical interventions with needles or cannulae. In fact, any sensation associated with needling is very brief. Many people drift off into a state of deep relaxation or sleep during treatment. Watch this brief video to learn how cancer survivors experienced acupuncture as a relaxing, enjoyable treatment.
Can acupuncture help people with other types of cancer?
Acupuncture can be useful to manage the consequences of treatments for all types of cancer and can be used at all stages of the cancer pathway – from diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond.
How can I find out more about acupuncture and cancer?
For more information:
· Check out this infogram that gives more details on how acupuncture can support cancer survivors to deal with the consequences of cancer treatments, and help them to live well again.
· Watch this short video to find out about one woman’s experience of having acupuncture to manage the long-term consequences of breast cancer treatment, including lymphoedema.
· Read this webpage for patients for more details.
Patient testimonial:
Bridge to Health client Lois Swanger says “I can’t imagine life without it. Acupuncture was definitely the right thing for me.” Read more about Lois’s experience of breast cancer and acupuncture here.
Find out more about Beverley de Valois:
I have nearly 30 years’ experience of working with people with cancer. In May 2024, I celebrated 25 years since qualifying as an acupuncturist, and of working at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood. There, I have been a researcher, investigating the use of acupuncture in the supportive care of people living with and beyond cancer. My PhD investigated using acupuncture to manage breast cancer treatment related hot flushes.
I have many publications in scientific journals, and lecture and teach internationally. I am the author of the first evidence-based, peer-reviewed book to focus on the use of acupuncture to support people recovering from cancer treatments – “Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: Recovery, Renewal, and Transformation” (Bridge to Health clients are eligible for a 10% discount.) Find out more about my work here.
I am pleased to offer my “Acupuncture for Cancer Survivors” clinic at Bridge to Health in Uxbridge. This is one of the first places in the UK to focus specifically on using acupuncture to help people recover after cancer treatment ends. I also treat people who are undergoing active cancer treatment as well.
Take action now:
If you are living with and beyond breast cancer, consider having acupuncture to any consequences and improve your quality of life. Book a treatment now at Bridge to Health in Uxbridge.
And if you know someone who is living with and beyond cancer, pass this information on to them.
Find out more
Are you based in London and would you want to find our more about acupuncture for breast cancer? Please feel free to book an appointment with our London based Bridge To Health Acupuncturist Beverley de Valois at 01895 200050 or by email beverley@bridgetohealth.co.uk. Or simply book an appointment directly. She will be happy to see you at our Uxbridge clinic.
