Abstract ES4-1: Acupuncture

Abstract Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves inserting and manipulating filiform needles into specific points on the body to alleviate symptoms. Although its mechanisms are not fully established, acupuncture appears to interact with and modulate the functioning of nerves, neurotransmitters, and neurohormones. Acupuncture has been used as a complementary therapy to treat a wide range of conditions experienced by breast cancer survivors. In this education session, I will discuss the use of acupuncture to reduce breast cancer treatment-related toxicities such as chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, and cognitive-impairment; insomnia; hot flashes; and aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgias. I will start by discussing the definition and mechanisms of acupuncture. I will then share clinical evidence and ongoing trials supporting and investigating the use of acupuncture for these toxicities, and end with a summary of my recommendations. Citation Format: T Bao. Acupuncture [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr ES4-1.