Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are some of the most common treatment for cancer. While chemotherapy is very powerful in killing cancer cells, it has its side effects. Among these are nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, body ache, headache, night sweats, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea.
In Hong Kong, it is popular for cancer patients to take traditional Chinese medicine and use acupuncture to reduce these side-effects. Now at the Sydney Adventist Hospital in Australia, acupuncture is also used to help cancer patients.
Pins ease pain in new anti-cancer technique
Source: Hornsby and Upper North Shore Advocate
Date: 31 March 2010
By Tracey Findlay
CANCER patients now have a new tool to help them through the onerous side effects of their treatments.
The Sydney Adventist Hospital has introduced acupuncture sessions to its Cancer Support Centre.
In clinical trials it has been found to cut nausea, vomiting, fatigue and pain, and improve the patient’s immune system.
The sessions are conducted by Dr Byeongsang Oh, a pioneer in complementary medicine for cancer care.
Dr Oh said up to 65 per cent of cancer patients in Australia were using complementary medicine compared to 23 per cent to 40 per cent five years ago.
He said acupuncture was aimed at improving the patient’s symptoms and quality of life while they are battling the effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
“A lot of people (with cancer) also have depression, anxiety, worry ... we can improve the mood status (through acupuncture) as well,” he said.
Rosalyne Sampson is having chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer last October. She has found acupuncture helpful.
“I have never had nausea but that could be because I started the acupuncture quite early,” she said.
The mother-of-four said acupuncture had helped her cope with accelerated menopausal symptoms, including mood swings and hot flushes, brought on by the chemotherapy.
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