Integrative Therapies During and After Breast Cancer Treatment

Publication Date: August 9, 2018
Last Updated: December 4, 2023

Key Recommendations

Acute radiation skin reaction

Aloe vera and hyaluronic acid cream should not be recommended for improving acute radiation skin reaction. (D)
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Anxiety/stress reduction

Meditation is recommended for reducing anxiety. (A)
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Music therapy is recommended for reducing anxiety. (B)
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Stress management is recommended for reducing anxiety during treatment, but longer group programs are likely better than self-administered home programs or shorter programs. (B)
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Yoga is recommended for reducing anxiety. (B)
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Acupuncture, massage, and relaxation can be considered for reducing anxiety. (C)
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Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Acupressure can be considered as an addition to antiemetic drugs to control nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. (B)
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Electroacupuncture can be considered as an addition to antiemetic drugs to control vomiting during chemotherapy. (B)
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Ginger and relaxation can be considered as additions to antiemetic drugs to control nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. (C)
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Glutamine should not be recommended for improving nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. (D)
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Depression/mood disturbance

Meditation, particularly mindfulness-based stress reduction, is recommended for treating mood disturbance and depressive symptoms. (A)
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Relaxation is recommended for improving mood disturbance and depressive symptoms. (A)
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Yoga is recommended for improving mood and depressive symptoms. (B)
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Massage is recommended for improving mood disturbance. (B)
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Music therapy is recommended for improving mood. (B)
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Acupuncture, healing touch, and stress management can be considered for improving mood disturbance and depressive symptoms. (C)
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Fatigue

Hypnosis and ginseng can be considered for improving fatigue during treatment. (C)
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Acupuncture and yoga can be considered for improving posttreatment fatigue. (C)
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Acetyl-l-carnitine and guarana should not be recommended for improving fatigue during treatment. (D)
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Lymphedema

Low-level laser therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and compression bandaging can be considered for improving lymphedema. (C)
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Neuropathy

Acetyl-l-carnitine is not recommended for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer, due to potential harm. (D)
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Pain

Acupuncture, healing touch, hypnosis, and music therapy can be considered for the management of pain. (C)
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Quality of life

Meditation is recommended for improving quality of life. (A)
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Yoga is recommended for improving quality of life. (B)
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Acupuncture, mistletoe, qigong, reflexology, and stress management can be considered for improving quality of life. (C)
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Sleep disturbance

Gentle yoga can be considered for improving sleep. (C)
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Vasomotor/hot flashes

Acupuncture can be considered for improving hot flashes. (C)
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Soy is not recommended for hot flashes in patients with breast cancer, due to lack of effect. (D)
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Integrative Therapies During and After Breast Cancer Treatment

Authoring Organization

Society for Integrative Oncology

Endorsing Organization

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Publication Month/Year

August 9, 2018

Last Updated Month/Year

January 19, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Target Patient Population

Patients undergoing treatment of breast cancer and those who have survived breast cancer

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Outpatient, Radiology services

Intended Users

Radiology technologist, psychologist, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Management, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D008209 - Lymphedema

Keywords

breast cancer, Breast Cancer Treatment, Integrative Therapies

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
422
Literature Search Start Date
December 31, 1989
Literature Search End Date
December 30, 2013