Hot flushes and night sweats are a frequent side effect of adjuvant hormonal treatments for breast cancer, reported by up to 80% of women taking tamoxifen. Acupuncture may offer a non-pharmaceutical method of managing these bothersome side effects.
In this exploratory study, we investigated the feasibility of using traditional acupuncture to:
- manage hot flushes and night sweats
- improve physical and emotional wellbeing
- reduce the perception of hot flushes as being bothersome
Beverley de Valois was the lead researcher of this study which formed part of her PhD thesis. This was supported by the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre and was a collaboration with West London University (formerly Thames Valley University).
The clinical phase of this study was funded by Dr Richard Ashford, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.
Key publications
| de Valois B, Young TE, Robinson N, McCourt C, Maher EJ (2010) Using traditional acupuncture for breast cancer-related hot flashes and night sweats Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: 16 (10) pp 1047-1057. |
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| de Valois, B (2008) Turning points: clearing blocks to treatment in women with early breast cancer European Journal of Oriental Medicine. 5(6) pp.10-15. This article is reprinted from the European Journal of Oriental Medicine by kind permission of the authors and publisher. |
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| Walker, G., de Valois, B., Davies, R., Young, T. and Maher, J. (2005) Opinions of research participants about study paperwork Bulletin of Medical Ethics, No. 205, February, pp.21-24. |
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| Walker, G., de Valois, B., Young, T., Davies, R., Maher, E.J. (2004) The experience of receiving traditional Chinese acupuncture European Journal of Oriental Medicine, 4(5) pp. 59 –65. This article is reprinted from the European Journal of Oriental Medicine by kind permission of the authors and publisher. |
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