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Acupuncture for radiation to lung?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008
Question from Eastman: I am currently undergoing radiation for a metastatic tumor in my lung. How can acupuncture help during this treatment?
Answer —Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D: Acupuncture can be useful for helping to combat many of the side effects that are experienced due to conventional treatments. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of evidence from the typical randomized trials that we like to see before we suggest the use of acupuncture to help manage certain symptoms. With that said, we know that acupuncture is very safe when performed by a well-qualified acupuncturist. So the risk and the downside to trying acupuncture is minimal. The main cost is in terms of financial and time commitments. In terms of side effects from radiation treatments, some people find acupuncture can help to improve your overall sense of well-being, to increase your energy, to decrease fatigue, to improve sleep quality, and perhaps to improve difficulty with breathing, depending on the origin of that difficulty. Acupuncture is something that is worth trying.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Complementary Medicine Techniques. Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about different types of complementary techniques and how they can help during and after breast cancer treatment.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D. is an associate professor and director of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Cohen is conducting a number of studies to find out how complementary techniques such as meditation, stress management, emotional writing, yoga, and music therapy might be able to improve patients' quality of life during cancer treatment.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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