Acupuncture cuts breast cancer hot flashes

BOSTON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Acupuncture reduces side effects of breast cancer treatment as much as conventional drug therapy and increases energy, U.S. researchers said.

Lead author Dr. Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit told the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 50th annual meeting in Boston that acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common debilitating side effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating associated with breast cancer treatment.

The findings also show there were additional benefits to acupuncture treatment for breast cancer patients, such as an increased sense of well being, more energy and in some cases, a higher sex drive, that were not experienced in those patients who underwent drug treatment, Walker said.

"Our study shows that physicians and patients have an additional therapy for something that affects the majority of breast cancer survivors and actually has benefits, as opposed to more side effects," Walker said in a statement.

The study involved 47 breast cancer patients who received either Tamoxifen or Arimidex and had at least 14 hot flashes per week. Results show that acupuncture reduces hot flashes as effectively as venlafaxine, with no side effects, and also provides additional health benefits to patients.