2024-07-15 22:00:00
Home > Treatments > Breast Cancer: Acupuncture for Hot Flashes Effective, Related Treatments Written on July 16, 2024 at 12:00 AM.
A compilation combines the results of three clinical trials with high levels of evidence to highlight the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing hot flashes and other side effects of hormonal treatments in women with breast cancer.
Hormone therapy can save lives by blocking the hormonal signaling that causes some breast cancers, but Up to 80% of patients who follow this regimen experience hot flashes and other side effects. Many patients who develop these symptoms stop hormone therapy, which may increase their risk of cancer progression and death.
So researchers compiled the results of three clinical trials looking at the effects of acupuncture to limit the impact of these treatments, and there’s some good news.
64% of participants experienced fewer hot flashes
A total of 158 women with stage 0 to III breast cancer were included in the data. The first group received acupuncture treatment Twice a week for ten weeks This was followed by an additional ten weeks without acupuncture treatment. The second group received usual care for ten weeks and then switched to lower intensity acupuncture (once a week) for ten weeks. Participants then used questionnaires to assess their hormonal symptoms (specifically hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and joint pain) and their quality of life (physical, emotional, social and family well-being).
Results: After the first ten weeks, participants who received acupuncture twice a week 64% experience fewer or less intense hot flashes and improvements in their overall quality of life.
Also read Weight loss may reduce breast cancer risk
Seemingly immediate and long-lasting benefits
By continuing to observe themselves during the second part of the study (during the cessation of acupuncture sessions), the benefits of the first group seemed to persist as well. For the second group, which started with no acupuncture and then switched to once a week, we observed significant improvements in symptom scores from the first treatment, suggesting Acupuncture is a simple, truly effective way to support these patients who have no other options.
In practice, this means patients interested in acupuncture could start with a brief trial period to see if it works for their hot flashes or other symptoms, and if the trial shows positive results, explained the study’s lead author. , whether they will receive acupuncture treatment.
Also read Breast Cancer: Focus on food quality first
Also read more Could sunshine reduce breast cancer risk?
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