Acupuncture for Treating Common Side Effects Associated with Breast Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review (Original Articles) (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION BREAST CANCER IS A LIFE-THREATENING disease that affects approximately 22,460 individuals in Canada each year. (1) Breast cancer is defined as cancer that has a site of origin in tissues of the breast, usually occurring in the ducts or lobules. (1) Medical treatment is known to increase survival rates in women with breast cancer but can also cause many harmful side effects. (2-7) Such side effects include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pain, and accelerated menopause. (3-5,8-10) Premature menopause can, in turn, lead to night sweats, hot flashes, and sexual dysfunction. (11,12) Due to the negative impact these side effects may have on quality of life, appropriate treatment to control these symptoms is recommended. (12)