2020 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine when combined with Western methods, could improve survival rates in patients with colorectal cancer.
Acupuncture for Cancer Treatment & Chemotherapy Support
Acupuncture is increasingly used to treat a variety of symptoms and conditions associated with cancer and the side effects of cancer treatments.
This parallels a broader trend of the world's top-ranked cancer centres integrating acupuncture into their cancer care, and an increase in acupuncture research in the field of oncology in the past twenty years.
Our clinic strictly advises that Chinese medicine and acupuncture should never be used alone for the treatment of cancer itself, but may be used to support certain symptoms associated with cancer and side effects of cancer treatment.
What does the research say?
The following insights are obtained from systematic reviews and analysis of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Chinese medicine and acupuncture for cancer treatment & chemotherapy support.
2019 Acupuncture in Medicine
Acupuncture has been presented as an effective intervention for reducing limb oedema in women post breast cancer surgery.
2019 The Oncologist
Acupuncture treatment significantly improves neuropathic symptoms in women suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after breast cancer therapy.
2017 Supportive Care in Cancer
Acupuncture significantly reduces cancer-related fatigue, especially in breast cancer patients and those undergoing anti-cancer treatment.
2016 Medicine
Acupuncture and related therapies are effective in reducing pain, fatigue, and in improving quality of life when compared with conventional intervention alone among cancer patients.
2014 Oncology Nursing Forum
Although results are inconclusive, acupuncture and acupressure tend to be effective in relieving cancer related fatigue, with the former producing a greater improvement.
Seek personalised healthcare and advice
Although well-conducted clinical research can help members of the public to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare, we cannot claim that any particular treatment may be effective for any individual person.
When you consult with our Chinese medicine practitioners, you’ll receive personalised advice and treatment based on your symptoms and Chinese medicine diagnosis.
Research papers
Browse our collection of scientific clinical research on acupuncture for cancer treatment & chemotherapy support.
It includes recent and reputable papers published by peer-reviewed journals within the last 10 years.
2020, Jan 13
Integrated Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western Medicine on the Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study of Medical Records
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Findings from this retrospective cohort study indicated that integrated CHM and Western medicine could improve survival in patients with colorectal cancer.
Yeh MH, Chiu HP, Wu MC, Koo M, Lin NW, Liao KK, Yeh CC, Li TM Full Article
2019, Mar 8
Effects of acupuncture on breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Acupuncture in Medicine British Medical Acupuncture Society
The present meta-analysis and systematic review suggests that acupuncture is effective at reducing breast cancer-related lymphoedema in patients after breast cancer treatment.
Zhang X, Wang X, Zhang B, Yang S, Liu D. Full Article
2019, Oct 14
Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
The Oncologist
In a randomized pilot trial of 40 breast cancer survivors with CIPN, an 8â€week acupuncture intervention (vs. usual care) led to a statistically and clinically significant improvement in subjective sensory symptoms including neuropathic pain and paresthesia. Given the lack of effective therapies and established safety profile of acupuncture, clinicians may consider acupuncture as a treatment option for mild to moderate CIPN in practice.
Lu W, Giobbie-Hurder A, Freedman RA, Shin IH, Lin NU, Partridge AH, Rosenthal DS, Ligibel JA Full Article
2017, Nov 11
Effects of acupuncture on cancer-related fatigue: a meta-analysis
Supportive Care in Cancer Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Acupuncture effectively manages cancer-related fatigue, especially when the treatment is consistent and frequent. It should be recommended as a beneficial alternative therapy, especially for breast cancer patients and those currently undergoing anti-cancer treatment.
Zhang, Y., Lin, L., Li, H., Hu, Y., & Tian, L. Full Article
2016, May 20
Acupuncture and Related Therapies for Symptom Management in Palliative Cancer Care: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Medicine
Acupuncture and related therapies are effective in reducing pain, fatigue, and in improving quality of life when compared with conventional intervention alone among cancer patients. Limitations on current evidence body imply that they should be used as a complement, rather than an alternative, to conventional care.
Lau CH, Wu X, Chung VC, Liu X, Hui EP, Cramer H, Lauche R, Wong SY, Lau AY, Sit RS, Ziea ET, Ng BF, Wu JC. Full Article
2014, Jan 1
Effects of acupuncture and acupressure on cancer-related fatigue: a systematic review
Oncology Nursing Forum Oncology Nursing Society
Although results are inconclusive, acupuncture and acupressure tend to be effective in relieving cancer-related fatigue, with the former producing a greater improvement.
Ling WM, Lui LY, So WK, Chan K. Full Article
It is by virtue of the twelve channels that human life exists, that disease arises, that human beings can be treated and illness cured. The twelve channels are where beginners start and masters end.