Chinese Medicine for Breast Cancer Patients on Hormone Therapy

Traditional Chinese medicine practices like acupuncture and herbal remedies can aid in in managing hormone therapy side effects such as hot flashes, joint pain, and fatigue in breast cancer patients.

Common hormone therapies for breast cancer include:

Aromatase inhibitors (AI):

Used by postmenopausal women with hormone dependent (ER/PR positive) breast cancer with the goal of reducing the risk of occurrence. Aromatase inhibitors block the enzyme aromatase from converting androgens into estrogen, thereby lowering estrogen levels that could fuel hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer growth. Drug names include Anastrozole (Arimidex), Letrozole (Femara), and Exemestane (Aromasin). AIs are taken daily, orally for 5, 7, or 10 years. 

AI side effects include vaginal and skin dryness, insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, brain fog, and headaches. Aromatase inhibitor arthralgia (AIA) involves bilateral joint pain, roving pain, stiffness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and decreased grip strength.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs):

Used by premenopausal women with hormone–dependent (ER/PR positive) breast cancer with the goal of reducing risk of occurrence. SERMs selectively bind to estrogen receptors, blocking estrogen from attaching in breast tissue while acting like estrogen in other tissues, helping prevent breast cancer growth while maintaining bone density and reducing menopausal symptoms. Tamoxifen is the most commonly used SERM. SERMs are taken daily for 5 years (most commonly) and sometimes up to 10 years.

SERM side effects include weight gain, night sweats, insomnia, headaches, achiness, fatigue, vaginal and skin dryness, and hot flashes.

Why are these side effects such a problem?

Breast cancer hormone therapies often cause severe side effects that can significantly impact patients’ daily activities, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

Traditional Chinese medicine interventions aim to alleviate the severe side effects of hormone therapy, helping breast cancer patients maintain better quality of life and treatment adherence while reducing their risk of cancer recurrence.

Key considerations for breast cancer survivors

Management of breast cancer hormone therapy side effects with Chinese medicine requires a specialized approach. Chinese medicine takes the whole person and their environment into consideration when making a diagnosis, utilizing certain therapies, herbal medicine formulation, treatment planning, and lifestyle/nutritional guidance. Additional key considerations for breast cancer survivors include:

• Other current medications being taken
• Underlying constitution – A person’s underlying constitution represents their inherent physical and energetic traits – including metabolism, stress response, temperature regulation, and organ system strengths/weaknesses – that influence their overall health patterns and treatment needs.
• Menopause experience pre-cancer treatment
• Previous treatments and on-going side effects
• Concerns about estrogenic herbs

A path to better quality of life

By integrating traditional Chinese medicine alongside conventional hormone therapy, breast cancer patients can find renewed hope and vitality through personalized treatments that address their side effects, enhance their wellbeing, and support them in staying committed to their essential cancer-fighting medications.