Alternative therapies are widely used to treat a range of conditions as well as for health maintenance. Many individuals with breast cancer seek complementary and alternative therapies for treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies may play an important part in reducing the toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiation for early stage breast cancer as well as in improving long term outcomes. Chinese herbal medicine is one of the more popular complementary and alternative medical approaches used by cancer patients.

Although chemotherapy may be useful for breast cancer recurrence prevention and in reducing tumor size, many adverse side effects of its toxicity affect quality of life. In recent years, Chinese herbal medicine has been integrated with allopathic medicine to increase immune function, tonify qi, blood, yin and yang, and increase regeneration of cells and bone marrow. Many women diagnosed with breast cancer utilize Chinese herbal medicine not only to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy but also as an anti-cancer agent.

Chinese botanical agents posses biological activities that may affect carcinogenesis, such as cell growth and proliferation and immune function. Alternative therapies, including Chinese herbal medicine, have been integrated into cancer treatment as natural, less invasive approaches to achieving health and improving quality of life. According to a recent Cochrane systematic review, researchers have determined that Chinese herbal medicine can reduce side effects of chemotherapy. Seven randomized studies involving 542 breast cancer patients were identified in the review.

Sixty percent of women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer experience a range of short term side effects. Review findings indicated Chinese herbal medicine effectively minimized chemotherapy side effects including fatigue, vomiting and nausea while increasing immune system functioning, protecting bone marrow and improving overall quality of life.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can effectively treat many health conditions and enhance wellness. Call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500 for an initial consultation.