Acupuncture helped me cope during chemotherapy

I noticed my nipple was inverted

I wasn’t shocked when I found out I had breast cancer, because I discovered the signs myself. In the lead up to being diagnosed, I had been really stressed trying to sell a property and with my business, so when I first felt a slight change in my breast, I thought it was due to an autoimmune condition I already have. But then I noticed that my nipple was inverted and I thought, no, it’s something else. 

I had also read a lot about breast cancer and seen a lot on television about the importance of checking your breasts regularly, so the moment I noticed my nipple was inverted, I felt like I already knew. It still took me days to get my head around hearing the words, ‘You have breast cancer’, but I feel like I was kind of prepared and had a sense for what it was.

I was diagnosed in May 2018, finished my chemotherapy in December and had a mastectomy. Last month I had the results from my operation, which were all really positive.

Instead of enjoying the sun I was inside having treatment

During treatment, I was pushed into the menopause and experienced a lot of anxiety. I spoke to my breast care nurse about how I was feeling, and they explained it could be the menopause making me feel that way.

I felt like the longer my treatment went on, the more anxious I became. It was also going on during the beautiful summer we had in 2018, so instead of being outside enjoying the sun, I was inside receiving chemotherapy. I felt really low at the time.

I feel like acupuncture helped with the side effects of treatment

Before being diagnosed with breast cancer, I'd been having acupuncture to help me with an existing thyroid condition, so I already knew about it as a complementary therapy.

My thyroid condition comes with a lot of symptoms, like inflammation and tiredness, so I had been having acupuncture on and off for many years. I feel like acupuncture helps me manage my fatigue.

When I was diagnosed, I tried to find an acupuncturist who had experience with breast cancer. It was the first complementary therapy I had alongside my medical treatment.

I feel like acupuncture helped me manage typical adverse reactions to chemotherapy, like sickness, and I’d usually have it the day after my treatment. I also felt it helped lift my anxiety and gave me a more positive outlook on things. I felt better with each session I had.

Everyone’s symptoms are different

A friend of mine recommended my acupuncturist to me, as she knew they had experience with working with women with breast cancer.

I went along for one session and found them very knowledgeable. They made me feel very comfortable and like I was in good hands.

They spoke to me about my symptoms so they could understand where I was coming from and tailored the treatments to me. Everyone’s symptoms are different, and I don’t think you can find two women who are the same. So, because acupuncture is tailor-made to you, I think that’s why it’s such a good complementary therapy.

What happens when you have acupuncture?

On your first session you’ll go in for a consultation. They’ll ask you about symptoms you’re experiencing, if you have any existing health conditions, how you’re feeling and about your mental health. They want to look at what they can do for you with the treatment.

Depending on where they put the needles, you’ll need to take your clothes off in that area. For example, if I got acupuncture on my back, I’d need to remove my top or bra. For my feet or ankles, I’d just roll my trousers up. So, you won’t be sitting there naked, but partially clothed. Then they’ll put the needles in.

The needles stay in for about 20 minutes, but the session lasts for an hour. I’d say that if you’re OK with having your blood taken, then you’d be OK with acupuncture. For me, when the needles go in, it just feels like a tiny scratch but then there’s no feeling after that while they’re in.

Make sure you make an informed decision

I’d recommend that anyone who’s interested in acupuncture researches thoroughly and makes sure that whatever you have been sent or find online is reputable. Misinformation about complementary therapies can make a lot of people wary. You might like to research if there are studies or papers behind the therapy, and speak to your breast care nurse or GP about it beforehand.

There are also organisations that have complementary therapies suites, like Maggie’s or Primrose Centres, where you can find out more about complementary therapies while you’re having treatment.