Can acupuncture help cancer patients relieve their symptoms according to recent surveys?
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique involving thin needles inserted at specific body points, is increasingly used alongside standard cancer care. Recent surveys show strong patient interest: a 2025 survey at Beijing Cancer Hospital found that 94.1% of 511 patients with malignant tumors were willing to receive acupuncture treatment 5. The top symptoms they hoped to improve were disturbed sleep (50.9%), pain (47.6%), fatigue (36.8%), numbness (34.3%), and poor appetite (29.9%) 5. This high willingness suggests many cancer patients see acupuncture as a helpful complement to manage symptoms.
What the research says
A 2025 survey of 511 cancer patients at Beijing Cancer Hospital reported that 94.1% were willing to try acupuncture 5. Among those willing, the most common symptoms they wanted to address were sleep problems, pain, fatigue, numbness, and poor appetite 5. This indicates strong patient demand for acupuncture as a supportive therapy.
Beyond surveys, clinical studies support acupuncture's benefits for cancer-related symptoms. A systematic review of 17 randomized controlled trials (810 breast cancer patients) found that acupuncture can help reduce side effects of hormone therapy, such as hot flashes and joint pain 9. Another randomized trial in 60 patients with moderate to severe cancer pain showed that adding acupuncture to opioid drugs significantly reduced the daily opioid dose needed and improved pain control compared to opioids alone 10.
Acupuncture may also help with other common cancer symptoms. A review of complementary medicine in palliative care noted that acupuncture can play a role in managing cancer pain, fatigue, and chemotherapy-induced nausea 11. While more research is needed, these findings align with the high patient willingness seen in recent surveys.
What to ask your doctor
- Would acupuncture be a safe option alongside my current cancer treatments?
- Are there acupuncturists in your network or hospital who specialize in cancer care?
- How might acupuncture help with my specific symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, or sleep problems?
- Should I expect any interactions between acupuncture and my medications or therapies?
- What is the typical schedule and number of sessions recommended for symptom relief?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Oncology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.