Acupuncture May Help With Hot Flashes After Breast Cancer Treatment

Acupuncture may be helpful to patients with breast cancer who are experiencing hot flashes and other treatment-related side effects, according to a recent study published in the journal Cancer.

The study included women with stages 0 to 3 breast cancer: some received 20 acupuncture sessions over 10 weeks, while others received the usual care. Acupuncture is an integrative therapy that involves inserting small needles into various body parts to relieve certain symptoms. Findings showed that those in the acupuncture group experienced improvements in endocrine-related side effects and hot flashes.

In a recent interview with CURE® study author, Weidong Lu, Lead Oncology Acupuncturist at the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies & Healthy Living in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discussed the findings and what patients need to know about acupuncture for breast cancer symptoms.

CURE®: Can you give an overview of hot flashes in women with breast cancer?

Lu: Hot flashes are sudden sensations of warmth, often accompanied by sweating and flushing, that occur commonly in women with breast cancer undergoing endocrine (hormone) therapy. They result from the abrupt lowering of estrogen levels caused by treatments like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors.

Hot flashes affect up to 80% of women on these therapies. They can significantly impact the quality of life by disrupting sleep, causing discomfort and embarrassment, and interfering with daily activities and work. The frequency and severity of hot flashes lead some women to consider discontinuing their endocrine therapy early.

What made your team consider acupuncture as a viable option for this symptom?

Acupuncture has shown promise for managing menopausal symptoms in previous smaller studies. It is a non-pharmacologic approach without the side effects of medications sometimes used for hot flashes. Additionally, acupuncture is widely available across different cultures and health care systems. Our team was interested in rigorously evaluating its efficacy in a larger, multinational study to determine if it could provide relief for this common and bothersome side effect of breast cancer treatment.

Can you give an overview of your findings, and particularly what patients should know about them?

Our study found that women who received acupuncture had significant improvements in hot flash frequency and severity compared to usual care. At 10 weeks, 64% of those in the acupuncture group had a significant reduction in hot flashes versus only an 18% response rate in the control group [who received standard of care]. Importantly, acupuncture also led to improvements in overall endocrine symptoms and quality of life. The benefits persisted even after stopping acupuncture treatments.

Patients should know that acupuncture appears to be a safe and effective option for managing hot flashes and other endocrine therapy side effects.

What would be your advice for someone considering acupuncture for hot flashes and other endocrine therapy-related symptoms?

I would advise patients to discuss acupuncture with their oncologist as a potential complementary therapy. Look for a licensed acupuncturist experienced in treating patients [with cancer].

Dr. Weidong Lu spoke with CURE® about how acupuncture may be beneficial for women with breast cancer experiencing hot flashes.

Most women in our study received treatments twice weekly for 10 weeks. While individual responses vary, many women experience improvement within a few weeks. Acupuncture is generally very safe, but patients should inform their acupuncturist about all medications and treatments they are receiving.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I would like to emphasize that this study not only shows acupuncture is effective for hot flashes, but readers should also pay attention to its effects on multiple symptoms and overall quality of life improvement. Acupuncture led to benefits beyond just hot flash reduction, including improvements in other hormonal symptoms, mood and overall well-being for many women. This holistic impact makes it an attractive option for supporting breast cancer survivors through endocrine therapy.

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