How acupuncture helped 80 Cornwall cancer patients

The side effects of cancer treatment do not always stop when the treatment does. Hot flushes, broken sleep, a dry mouth, pain that lingers long after the final appointment. For more than 80 people in Cornwall, a quietly run pilot scheme has offered another way to manage all of it.

The service was funded by the Sunrise Appeal, the Cornwall charity that has supported cancer care across the county for more than twenty years. Its acupuncture pilot reached its conclusion at the end of May, and the charity says the results point to a clear and growing need.

Eighteen months at The Cove

The pilot was led by senior radiographer and qualified acupuncturist Jenny Doolan, working in partnership with The Cove Macmillan Support Centre in Truro. Over eighteen months it supported more than 80 cancer patients dealing with the long-lasting effects of their treatment.

It was set up to offer non-pharmacological support for symptoms including hot flushes, dry mouth, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances and treatment-related pain. Patients referred in received an initial consultation followed by a tailored course of six to eight weekly sessions.

Demand so high that referrals had to close

The response was strong from the start. Well over 150 referrals came in from oncology consultants, radiographers, dieticians, Cancer Nurse Specialists and maxillofacial teams. Demand grew so high that referrals eventually had to close, so that everyone already on the list could be seen before the funding period ended.

The pilot proved particularly useful for patients with dry mouth following radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, alongside breast and prostate cancer patients managing hot flushes and other treatment-related symptoms.

“Many people don’t realise that the side effects of cancer treatment can continue long after treatment ends,” said Jenny. “Symptoms like hot flushes, pain, sleep difficulties and anxiety can have a huge impact on day-to-day life. Acupuncture has offered people another layer of support and, for many patients, it has made a real difference.”

What patients said

Feedback from those who took part was overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting more than one benefit. One patient said: “I have found this invaluable. The quality of my sleep is much improved.” Another said: “Having acupuncture has been a very positive experience. It has made a significant impact on my general wellbeing.”

Where the service goes next

For Janet Shephard, Co-Founder and Trustee of the Sunrise Appeal, the project sits squarely within what the charity set out to do.

“This is exactly the kind of patient-centred initiative the Sunrise Appeal exists to support,” she said. “Over the years we’ve funded equipment, technology and training but equally important are services that support people emotionally and physically throughout their cancer journey. Seeing the impact this has had on patients has been incredibly encouraging.”

The pilot is already shaping what comes next. Support for head and neck cancer patients with dry mouth will continue through the maxillofacial team, so those patients keep access to the service.

The Cove is now looking at ways to keep acupuncture going for other cancer patients, and hopes to find an acupuncturist who can continue and expand it in the future.