TCM’s Role in Cancer Aftercare

 Recovery after cancer treatment takes time, and many people continue to experience fatigue, digestive changes, and emotional strain. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a supportive approach that works alongside conventional oncology care.

In this article, we explore how TCM may help with post-treatment recovery, how it complements cancer care safely, and what to expect from a first TCM consultation and treatment plan.

 

How TCM Supports Fatigue, Digestion, and Emotional Recovery

Cancer treatments are often a significant disruptor to the body’s vital energy Qi (气), Blood (血), and Organ systems（脏腑）. TCM provides a holistic and individualised approach to address concerns arising from these imbalances.

Fatigue 

TCM View: Cancer treatments have a "heat-toxic" effect, severely depleting the body's vital energy Qi and Blood. This leads to cancer-related fatigue (CRF) – a persistent, subjective sense of tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity. This may interfere with usual functioning and rest alone may not resolve.

Support: Common herbs used are Astragali Radix Radix 黃芪, Ginseng Radix 人參, Codonopsis Radix 党參. Herbal formulas like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle to Augment the Qi Decoction) or Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) are classically used to tonify Qi and strengthen the Spleen and Lung. Acupuncture or moxibustion to acupuncture points like ST36 足三里, Ren 6 气海 can be performed to boost energy, improve mitochondrial function, and modulate the immune system.

 

 

Digestion 

The Stomach (responsible for food digestion, i.e. “breaking down” food) and the Spleen (responsible for transformation and transport of nutrients from food) are often weakened by cancer treatments, leading to poor appetite, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or malabsorption. Support: Herbs such as ginger 生姜, Atractylodes 白术, and Poria 茯苓 are often used to regulate digestion, restore appetite and aid in gastrointestinal function recovery. Herbs and dietary therapy focus on "harmonising the Middle Burner (Spleen-Stomach system) and restoring digestive fire”. Acupuncture at points on digestive system meridians like ST36 足三里，PC6 内关, and Ren 12 中脘 can significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea, improve gastric motility, and enhance nutrient absorption. 

Emotional Recovery 

Stress, fear, and uncertainty after cancer diagnosis and treatment can cause Liver Qi stagnation (frustration, irritability, rib-side tension). This trauma disturbs the Heart (神/ spirit), leading to anxiety, insomnia, and poor focus/memory. Support: Acupuncture can regulate and calm the nervous system, promoting the release of endorphins. Acupuncture points like LV3 太冲 (to soothe the Liver), HT7 神门 (to calm the Heart), and Yin Tang 印堂 (for anxiety) can be used. There are TCM formulations like Xiao Yao San 逍遥散 for stress and emotional imbalance to help soothe emotions when combined with other appropriate herbs for the patient’s condition. Mindfulness practices like Tai Chi or Qigong are also encouraged to re-integrate mind and body.

Complementary Role & Key Safety Considerations

Complementary Role 

• Side Effect Management: TCM's primary role is to manage cancer treatment sequelae and improve quality of life, allowing patients to better tolerate and complete their conventional treatment protocols.
  
• Supporting Recovery and Remission: By reducing inflammation, modulating immunity, and improving overall well-being, TCM can be a valuable component of a long-term wellness plan to support remission and help prevent recurrence.

Key Safety Considerations

• Full Disclosure & Coordination: The TCM practitioner must be informed of the full oncology diagnosis, all treatments (past and present), and medications (including supplements). The oncologist should be aware that the patient is seeking TCM treatments.
  
• Herb-Drug Interactions: Some herbs can interfere with chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or hormonal treatments. Any herbs should only be consumed after consultation with their TCM practitioner.
  
• Avoid "Anti-Cancer" Claims: Beware of any TCM practitioner who advises stopping conventional care or makes definitive "cancer-curing" claims. A TCM practitioner’s role is to support recovery and improve quality of life.
  
• Lymphedema Risk: If lymph nodes were removed/radiated (e.g., breast cancer), needling and deep massage must be avoided in the affected quadrant to prevent triggering lymphedema.

What to Expect in a First Consultation 

First Consultation: A first TCM consultation usually involves a thorough and holistic assessment of the patient’s health

In-Depth consultation: Questions about patient’s cancer journey, current symptoms, energy levels, digestion, sleep, emotions, and thermal comfort (how do patients feel and if they prefer hot/cold?). The TCM practitioner will ask questions about the patient’s overall health, lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, emotional well-being, and the specific symptoms they are experiencing post cancer treatment. This is often more in-depth than what a conventional doctor might ask, as TCM looks at the body as a whole system.

TCM Diagnostics:

• Tongue Diagnosis: The color, coating, shape, and moisture of your tongue provide clues to internal balance.
• Pulse Diagnosis: The practitioner feels the pulses at both wrists to assess the state of different organ systems.
• Palpation: May include checking abdominal areas or pain points to assess pain score and location of pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment Plan:

• Diagnosis: You will receive a TCM pattern diagnosis (e.g., "Qi and Blood Deficiency with Spleen Yang Weakness and Liver Qi Stagnation").

Herbal medicine	Acupuncture	Other Therapies	Lifestyle Recommendations
A custom herbal formula (as herbs, granules, powders) will be prescribed, to address the patient’s specific symptoms, such as fatigue, digestion issues, or emotional disturbances.    This is often modified every few weeks according to changes in patients’ conditions and/or cancer treatment.	Targeted needle placement at specific points on the body to restore Qi flow and aids in neuropathy.   This is usually weekly or fortnightly sessions. Needles are very fine, single-use, and insertion is usually painless.	Sometimes, TCM treatment may involve other treatment modalities like moxibustion for Cold Syndromes to warm the body and promote healing.	Advice on diet, exercise, and stress management. TCM often recommends dietary modifications (e.g., foods that nourish the Spleen Qi, such as warm soups or broths).    Gentle exercises like Tai Chi or Qigong are also encouraged where appropriate, to reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve mental health.

The treatment plan is personalised and may evolve over time as the patient’s needs change. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to monitor progress and adjust the treatment as needed.

In summary, TCM in cancer aftercare acts as a supportive complementary therapy. TCM focuses on re-balancing the body and supporting overall well-being when used alongside conventional cancer treatments, managing side effects from cancer and/or its treatment, and enhances emotional well-being. 

It is essential to consult with both your primary oncologist/surgeon and a registered TCM practitioner. This ensures the therapies are safely complementary to your conventional treatment and are tailored to your specific condition and TCM syndrome diagnosis.

This effective integration hinges on open communication between the patient, the TCM practitioner, and the oncology team.

 

References:

Yang, J., Li, Y., Chau, C. I., Shi, J., Chen, X., Hu, H., & Ung, C. O. L. (2022). Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for cancer-related fatigue: A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 21(1), 1–20.

Zhang, R., Shi, P., Chou, Y., Liu, W., & Zhang, C. (2024). The effect of traditional Chinese medicine on psychological conditions among elderly patients with cancer: A scoping review. Holistic Nursing Practice.

Yang, X., Yang, N., Huang, F., Ren, S., & Li, Z. (2021). Effectiveness of acupuncture on anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Annals of General Psychiatry, 20(1), 9.

Xu, B., Wang, X., Wang, H., Cao, L., Ge, Y., Yuan, B., & others. (2022). Efficacy and safety of herbal formulas with the function of gut microbiota regulation   for gastric and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, 1033040.

Lin, D., Ou, Y., Li, L., Wu, K., Zhang, Q., Yan, J., & Luo, J. (2023). Acupuncture for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Oncology, 13, 1146686.