TCM and Cancer: a complementary approach to support patients in their treatment

Cancer is a complex, multifactorial pathology that represents a major public health challenge. Modern medicine offers powerful treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies. These approaches are often accompanied by significant side effects. Complementary therapies or medicines, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), are attracting increasing attention for their potential to improve patients' quality of life and support conventional treatments.
Based on millennia of practice, TCM takes a holistic approach, seeking to restore the body's energetic balance to promote overall health. Far from being a substitute for Western medicine, it fits harmoniously into a complementary therapeutic strategy.

Fundamental principles of TCM in cancer treatment

TCM is based on two fundamental concepts:

1. Qi (气): the vital energy that circulates in the body via a network of meridians.
2. Yin (阴) and Yang (阳): two opposing but complementary forces whose balance is essential to health.

According to TCM, cancer results from an internal imbalance caused by multiple factors: Qi stagnation, blood stasis, toxin accumulation, or weakness of key organs such as the Kidneys, Liver and Spleen. These imbalances are not limited to visible symptoms, but also affect the emotional and energetic aspects of the patient.

Scientific approach: Evidence and recent studies

Modern research has explored certain principles of TCM, particularly in the context of cancer care.

Acupuncture and side effect management

• Several studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, including those published in the scientific journals BioMed Central (2020) and Wiley Cancer Medicine (2023).
• A systematic review published in JAMA Oncology (2016) highlights the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving post-chemotherapy neuropathic pain.
• A pilot study by Mao et al (2017) demonstrated a significant reduction in cancer-related fatigue with regular acupuncture sessions combined with psychosocial support.

Chinese pharmacopoeia and immune support

Note: At Clinique Naturelle, we do not dispense pharmacopoeia to patients suffering from cancer, so as not to risk altering the treatments implemented by conventional medicine.

• Astragalus (Huang Qi 黄芪) is frequently used in TCM to boost immunity. A meta-analysis by Li et al. (2015) in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine confirmed its immunomodulatory effects, including increasing white blood cells after chemotherapy.
• Another study conducted on Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi 靈芝) demonstrated improved immune function in cancer patients, with a reduction in opportunistic infections (Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2018).

Qi Gong and Tai Chi: quality of life

A study by Jing Xu et al (2022) published in BMJ Open, is an umbrella review that analyzes and synthesizes the results of several systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the efficacy of Qi Gong and Tai Chi in improving the quality of life of cancer patients. The results indicate that these practices can improve cancer-related symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disorders, emotional disorders and anxiety.

TCM treatment methods

Energy balance

The TCM practitioner assesses the energy imbalances specific to each patient, taking into account physical, emotional and environmental symptoms.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is used for :

• Stimulate circulation of Qi and blood.
• Reduce chronic pain, paresthesia and post-treatment nausea.
• Support the immune system weakened by chemotherapy.

Example: A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021), edited by the Collège Français d'Acupuncture, confirmed that acupuncture improves patients' tolerance to chemotherapy by reducing symptoms associated with mucositis.

Physical therapies: Qi Gong and Tuina massage

These approaches help relieve muscular tension, calm the mind and improve Qi circulation, contributing to better stress management and overall recovery.

Benefits and precautions

Benefits

1. Reduced side effects: nausea, pain, fatigue and neuropathy.
2. Improved emotional well-being: reduced anxiety and depression.
3. Immune support: Strengthening natural defenses, often weakened by treatments.

Precautions

• Risk of herbal-drug interactions: Certain pharmacopoeia ingredients can interact with conventional treatments, underscoring the importance of coordination between practitioners.
• Qualified practitioners: Ensure that the TCM practitioner is certified and experienced in oncology care.

Conclusion

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a promising complementary approach to cancer treatment, providing solutions to mitigate side effects, improve quality of life and strengthen the immune system. The harmonious integration of TCM and conventional medicine requires close collaboration between healthcare professionals, with the patient's well-being as a common goal.