Acupuncture for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Survivors

Female survivors of hormone receptor- positive breast cancer continue to take selective estrogen receptors (e.g., Tamoxifen) or aromatase inhibitors (e.g., Anastrazole, Letrozole, etc.) for years following the treatment of their tumor. While effective for preventing cancer recurrence these drugs are accompanied by hot flashes and other side effects which can significantly impair quality of life. Acupuncture has been shown to be both a safe and effective in reducing hot flashes, possibly via the central release of endorphins, serotonin, and ACTH.