Examining the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine and conventional medicine in breast cancer patients medicated with estrogen antagonists

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, with a 10.4% incidence rate worldwide. It is the fifth most common cause of death. Treatment includes surgery, radiation and drugs. Conventional treatment of estrogen receptor positive types of tumors involves the use of hormone therapy. The side-effects of these drugs, <em>i.e.</em> menopausal type symptoms, are an extra burden to women with breast cancer. Further use of drugs to treat such side-effects often provokes adverse symptoms, prompting a search for alternative types of treatment. This paper aims to review research into the use of traditional Chinese medical acupuncture to combat side-effects in breast cancer patients medicated with estrogen antagonists, and examine its complementary role.