A breast cancer diagnosis changes life in many ways.
There is the diagnosis itself, of course, but there is also everything that comes afterward: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, medications, appointments, scans, and the physical and emotional process of moving through treatment.
For many women, some of the most challenging symptoms can continue even after the initial treatment is complete.
This is where supportive and integrative care may have an important role.
Acupuncture does not treat or cure breast cancer. Instead, it can be used alongside conventional medical care to help manage certain symptoms and support quality of life.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that acupuncture may help with some cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, including pain, fatigue, and treatment-related nausea and vomiting.
Joint pain from hormonal therapy
One of the most important areas of evidence for acupuncture in breast cancer care involves aromatase inhibitor–related joint pain.
Aromatase inhibitors are medications commonly used as part of hormone therapy for certain breast cancers. While these medications can be an important part of reducing the risk of recurrence, some women experience joint and muscle pain while taking them.
The discomfort can affect everyday life: walking, exercising, climbing stairs, getting out of bed, or simply feeling comfortable in your own body.
This is one area where the evidence for acupuncture is particularly strong.
The Society for Integrative Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology recommend that acupuncture be offered to patients experiencing aromatase inhibitor–related joint pain. In the guideline’s review of clinical trials, acupuncture produced greater reductions in pain than sham acupuncture or a wait-list control.
That doesn’t mean acupuncture will eliminate everyone’s pain. But it does mean meaningful clinical evidence supports acupuncture as an option.
Other symptoms that may benefit from supportive care
Breast cancer treatment can affect many aspects of well-being.
Depending on your circumstances, acupuncture may be considered as part of a supportive-care plan for symptoms such as:
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Cancer-related pain
- Fatigue
- Treatment-related nausea
- Stress and difficulty relaxing
- Certain menopausal symptoms
Research varies considerably by symptom.
For example, NCCIH reports evidence that acupuncture may help reduce cancer-related pain and fatigue, while research regarding hot flashes is more limited and mixed.
That is why we believe in being honest about what acupuncture can and cannot do.
Our goal is not to promise that acupuncture will fix every symptom.
Our goal is to help you determine whether it may be a useful part of your individual care.
Acupuncture should complement, not replace, your cancer treatment
If you are being treated for breast cancer, acupuncture should be considered complementary care.
It should never replace surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, or other treatment recommended by your oncology team.
NCCIH specifically advises people with cancer to discuss complementary therapies with their healthcare providers and emphasizes that no complementary approach has been shown to cure cancer or cause it to go into remission.
Communication with your medical team is especially important during active treatment.
Your acupuncturist should know about your medications, treatments, surgeries, blood counts when relevant, and any complications or changes in your health.
Your oncology team should also know that you are receiving acupuncture.
This collaborative approach helps keep your care both safe and supportive.
You deserve care for how you feel, not just for the diagnosis
Cancer treatment can sometimes make patients feel as though their entire identity has become their diagnosis.
But you are still a whole person.
You still want to sleep well. You want to move comfortably. You want to have energy. You want to feel less anxious. You want to get back to the things you enjoy.
Supportive care is about paying attention to those things, too.
If you or someone you love is navigating breast cancer treatment or life after treatment, acupuncture may be worth discussing with your healthcare team.
You don’t have to choose between conventional medicine and complementary care. When appropriately integrated, they can work together to support the whole person.
If you’re considering acupuncture during or after breast cancer treatment, we welcome the opportunity to speak with you and, when appropriate, coordinate care with your medical team.
Have questions about whether acupuncture for breast cancer may be appropriate for you? Contact our clinic at (650) 468-3636 or schedule an appointment.
Annie Wang Acupuncture
650-468-3636
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