Constant fatigue is one of the major problems experienced by breast cancer patients. Bringing new hopes in women affected with this problem, a team of researchers found acupuncture very effective in finding relief from fatigue.
Acupuncture, originated in ancient China is a treatment that involves inserting thin, solid needles into acupuncture points in the skin.
According to Breast Cancer Org. nine out of 10 women experience fatigue during breast cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and while taking medications like codeine and morphine. Lack of energy, tiredness, sleeping for long hours, problems to concentrate and speaking are some of the symptoms of fatigue.
Alex Molassiotis and her team examined possible solutions to cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer patients. For the analysis, they included 300 female breast cancer patients (stage 1, 2 or 3) from nine health care facilities in the United Kingdom.
All the participants, with an average age of 53 reported experiencing fatigue for at least 18 months. Of the total, 200 women attended 20 minutes acupuncture sessions, apart from the regular treatment they received earlier.
After six-weeks, women receiving acupuncture reported the treatment improving their overall quality of life- providing relief from physical and mental fatigue, anxiety and depression levels.
"I am quite excited with these results. They provide some good evidence of an effect of acupuncture for the management of a very debilitating and burdensome symptom for patients," study lead author Molassiotis, from the University of Manchester, told Health Day. "The addition of a new treatment approach gives patients and health professionals more options."
Results of the study have been published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Apart from acupuncture and a healthy lifestyle, following are some methods recommended by the Breast Cancer.Org to treat fatigue:
* Massage
* Meditation
* Reiki
* Tai chi
* Yoga
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the country. According to the American Cancer Society, the country has more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors.
