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Acupuncture and fatigue: Current basis for shared communication between breast cancer survivors and providers

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Journal of Cancer Survivorship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Fatigue is the most common symptom reported by survivors of cancer. At present the medical community lacks evidence-based options for its management.

Materials and methods

This paper describes the rationale, current evidence, and research in progress as related to the use of acupuncture as a potential option.

Results

Preliminary evidence suggests that clinicians and cancer survivors may find benefit in considering acupuncture as an option for managing fatigue; this is especially appealing since acupuncture appears to be a safe medical technique. We draw upon our research and clinical experience to generate a description of considerations for patient and provider when thinking about acupuncture as an option for the management of fatigue in non-anemic, disease-free breast cancer survivors.

Discussion/conclusions

Research examining its relative effectiveness and potential for integration with other approaches is a logical next step if the results from RCTs are positive.

Implications for cancer survivors

Acupuncture is not routinely considered in mainstream discussions of options for fatigue management. While future research will more clearly determine its relative effectiveness, given the present options available clinicians and breast cancer survivors may find benefit in considering and discussing acupuncture as an approach for managing persistent fatigue.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by funds from the California Breast Cancer Research Program of the University of California, Grant Number 10FB-0049 (Johnston, Hui). Authors also gratefully acknowledge support from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Award Number POP0504401 (Hui, Johnston), the Gerald Oppenheimer Family Foundation (Hui), and the Annenberg Foundation (Hui). We thank Dominick Frosch for introducing us to the field of informed decision-making and very helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for East-West Medicine, Department of Medicine; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Michael Francis Johnston & Ka-Kit Hui

  2. Private Practice, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Bo Xiao

  3. Center for East-West Medicine, 1033 Gayley Ave., #111, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Michael Francis Johnston

Authors
  1. Michael Francis Johnston
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  2. Bo Xiao
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  3. Ka-Kit Hui
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Correspondence to Michael Francis Johnston.

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Johnston, M.F., Xiao, B. & Hui, KK. Acupuncture and fatigue: Current basis for shared communication between breast cancer survivors and providers. J Cancer Surviv 1, 306–312 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-007-0035-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-007-0035-9

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