Acupuncture can Provide Additional Hope for Patients with Cancer Pain and Cancer-Related Fatigue
In 2024, the American Cancer Society expects that just over 2 million patients in the United States will be newly diagnosed with cancer. Cancer occurs when the body develops abnormal cells that start dividing uncontrollably, which can then spread and destroy the body’s normal, healthy cells and tissue.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world. Fortunately, survival rates for many types of cancer are improving due to advancements in treatments. These treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. However, many patients, during or after their treatments, may experience cancer-related pain and fatigue, which negatively impact their quality of life.
Pain symptoms occur in approximately 70% of patients with cancer. Unfortunately, it has been estimated that this pain is inadequately controlled in 50% of these patients.
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is multi-factorial, extreme fatigue which limits the patient’s activities of daily life. This fatigue is related to cancer and/or the treatment of cancer. Up to 90% of patients undergoing active cancer treatment may experience cancer-related fatigue.
Some patients with cancer-related fatigue and pain utilize complementary medicine therapies to treat their symptoms. Acupuncture and acupressure have been used to treat both. However, what evidence exists to support acupuncture and/or acupressure for the treatment of cancer pain and cancer-related fatigue
The following link is a systematic review of 17 randomized clinical trials for using acupuncture and/or acupressure in patients with cancer pain. The study found “…a significant association between real (compared to sham*) acupuncture and reduced pain, and acupuncture combined with analgesic therapy was associated with decreased analgesic use.” The review concluded that there is a “moderate level of evidence that acupuncture and/or acupressure was significantly associated with lower pain intensity in patients with cancer,” suggesting that the combination of acupuncture and acupressure may help reduce the amount and dose of pain medication (including opioids) needed in patients with cancer pain.
He Y, Guo X, May BH, Zhang AL, Liu Y, Lu C, Mao JJ, Xue CC, Zhang H. Clinical Evidence for Association of Acupuncture and Acupressure With Improved Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Oncol. 2020 Feb 1;6(2):271-278. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.5233. PMID: 31855257; PMCID: PMC6990758.
Additionally, the article link below is a systematic review including “9 randomized controlled trials comprising 809 cancer patients with fatigue and suggests that true acupuncture is significantly associated with reducing CRF (cancer-related fatigue) compared with control groups both with sham* acupuncture and usual care…Given that CRF is a debilitating symptom among cancer survivors that has proven complex to manage, it is important to explore a wide range of treatment options. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that acupuncture has clinical applications in the management of CRF in conjunction with standard care.” The review “recommended that acupuncture be incorporated into guidelines for the management of CRF in order to improve patient care.”
Jang A, Brown C, Lamoury G, Morgia M, Boyle F, Marr I, Clarke S, Back M, Oh B. The Effects of Acupuncture on Cancer-Related Fatigue: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2020 Jan-Dec;19:1534735420949679. doi: 10.1177/1534735420949679. PMID: 32996339; PMCID: PMC7533944.
A diagnosis of cancer can be devastating to patients and their loved ones. During the patient’s journey of testing, diagnosis, and treatment, cancer patients need to understand that their quality of life during and after cancer treatment should be prioritized. Patients with cancer should not suffer from these symptoms in silence. It is essential that patients discuss their symptoms and any potential treatment modalities with their physician before initiating any of these therapies to ensure there is not any concomitant diagnosis or contraindication to the treatment. Discussing symptoms and complementary medicine treatment options with your healthcare provider may lead to an opportunity for a better quality of life.
(*sham therapy – an inactive procedure that is designed to mimic as closely as possible the active procedure being studied in a clinical trial)