Cancer is one of the leading killers in the world and the incidence is
increasing, but most cancer patients and cancer survivors suffer much
from the disease and its conventional treatments' side effects. In the
past, clinical data showed that some complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) possessed anticancer abilities, but some clinicians and
scientists have queried about the scientific validity of CAM due to the
lack of scientific evidence. There is great demand in narrowing the
knowledge gap to explore the scientific and evidence-based knowledge of
CAM in the anticancer field. With this aim, an unparalleled undertaking
of a book series is launched to structurally consolidate this area.
Although acupuncture and moxibustion have been practiced for millennia,
they have come under scientific investigation only recently. Acupuncture
and moxibustion have been used clinically to treat cancer-related
symptoms (e.g. cancer pain, anxiety, depression and insomnia), manage
treatment-induced side effects (e.g. hot flashes, nausea and vomiting)
and enhance immunity (e.g. blood cell count, lymphocyte and natural
killer cell activity). This is the first book manages to provide
comprehensive and updated scientific evidence of the effectiveness of
acupuncture and moxibustion intervention for cancer care. Laboratory and
animal studies have uncovered the mechanisms of acupuncture and
moxibustion for cancer therapy. Promising results of most clinical
trials show the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in
cancer management. This book consists of fifteen chapters which address
a range of important aspects that will impact on the application of
acupuncture and moxibustion. An overview of the safety and side effects
of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer care are also covered. In
addition, the integration of acupuncture with Western medicine in cancer
treatment and recent clinical trials are included as well.
Opinion leaders around the world have teamed up to pursue a thorough and
up-to-date review of the area, this volume will contribute great to the
cancer, clinical and academic community by providing evidence-based
information on the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion as an
anticancer therapy.
