A-SACT
Acupuncture Support in Anticancer Therapy

The A-SACT Framework

ACCESSIBLE - Seamless to implement and deliver in oncology outpatient treatment suites.

SAFE - Oncology-specific protocol that minimises risk. Safely delivered by trained, specialist nurses within governance frameworks.

ACCOUNTABLE - Data-driven to meet healthcare and insurer requirements. Measurable outcomes tracked, symptom burden, QoL, patient-reported experience.

COST-EFFECTIVE - Cost-efficient to implement with manageable ongoing costs per patient. A-SACT can generate significant savings for healthcare providers and insurers by improving treatment adherence, reducing reliance on supportive medications, and lowering unplanned admissions caused by side-effect exacerbations.

TRUSTED - Grounded in the latest research on acupuncture and delivered in line with certification standards from the British Medical Acupuncture Society.

Our mission is dedicated to improving quality of life through safe, standardised Western Medical Acupuncture.
By providing patient-centred support throughout treatment, we aim to ease side effects, promote wellbeing, and help cancer patients navigate their journey with greater comfort and resilience.

How Can Acupuncture Help Cancer Patients?

Many people receiving Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment experience difficult side effects.
Research shows acupuncture may help with:

• Nausea and sickness: Randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses show that acupuncture and acupressure can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when used alongside standard anti-emetics (Lee & Fan, Cochrane Review 2009; ASCO–SIO Integrative Oncology Guideline, Lyman et al. 2022).

• Pain and fatigue: Evidence supports acupuncture in managing cancer-related pain, aromatase inhibitor–induced arthralgia, and fatigue, helping patients maintain daily activities (He et al., JAMA Oncology 2022; Hershman et al., JCO 2018).

• Hot flushes: Clinical trials show acupuncture can ease hot flushes and night sweats in patients receiving hormone therapy or chemotherapy, leading to improved quality of life and sleep (Frisk et al., Menopause 2012; ASCO–SIO guideline 2022).

• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet (neuropathy): Research suggests acupuncture may improve chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), including numbness, tingling, and pain (Garcia et al., Support Care Cancer 2014; Bao et al., Cancer 2020).

• Anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep problems: Studies demonstrate that acupuncture can reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower stress levels, and improve sleep quality in people with cancer (Zhang et al., Integrative Cancer Therapies 2019; ASCO–SIO guideline 2022)

Is Acupuncture Safe in an Oncology Setting?

Acupuncture in cancer care has a strong safety record when provided by trained professionals.

A-SACT is delivered exclusively by oncology nurses who are specifically trained and reassessed yearly in the safe use of A-SACT.

Each session uses sterile, single-use equipment and is always designed to complement, not replace, standard oncology care.

Importantly, toxicities and blood parameters are checked by chemotherapy nurses before every cycle of systemic anti-cancer therapy. This routine review means that the overall clinical status is assessed for safety before patients proceed with Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment. If the patient is well enough to go ahead with treatment, it is also generally considered safe to receive the A-SACT protocol.

By working in close communication with your oncology team, A-SACT ensures that acupuncture is fully integrated into care plans, supporting comfort, well-being, and quality of life during treatment.

How Is A-SACT Given?

Small, very fine needles are gently inserted at specific points on the forearms and lower legs, allowing treatment to be given comfortably while maintaining patient dignity in a shared environment.

During treatment, patients may notice gentle sensations such as tingling, warmth, or relaxation. Beyond the session itself, many report meaningful improvements that carry into daily life, including reduced pain or neuropathy, relief from nausea, better sleep, greater energy, and a calmer mood.
Acupuncture can also help ease hot flushes, support appetite, and foster an overall sense of well-being, making it a valuable complement throughout the cancer journey.

BRINGING A-SACT INTO YOUR ONCOLOGY SERVICE

Putting Patients First

Empowering Oncology Staff Nurses

Ensuring Uncompromised Safety

Driving Innovation to Deliver Exceptional Cancer Care.

Implementation begins with a four-week consultation period, including interactive workshops with patients, nurses, consultants, and other key staff. These sessions help us understand the needs of your service, build engagement, and shape a protocol that integrates smoothly into existing workflows.

This is followed by an eight-week pilot project within the chemotherapy day unit. During this time, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are collected alongside structured feedback from patients, nurses, and consultants. The pilot allows us to demonstrate clinical benefit, operational feasibility, and patient satisfaction within a safe, real-world setting.

At the end of the pilot, anonymised data and outcome reports are shared with stakeholders. These insights inform decisions about broader implementation and provide a roadmap for scaling A-SACT across oncology services.

Get in touch with our team

asact@holohealth.co.uk

A Proposition of Value for Oncology Providers

Leading centres worldwide, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dana-Farber, have already integrated evidence-based supportive therapies like acupuncture,
A-SACT ensures alignment with these global standards.

Patients and families are actively seeking cancer centres that go beyond treatment, offering person-centred, holistic care that prioritises quality of life as much as survival. Integrating A-SACT sets a new standard beyond conventional support, offering truly integrative, patient-centred oncology care.

A Nurse-Led protocol enables rapid, cost-effective deployment by leveraging oncology nurses already delivering chemotherapy, avoiding reliance on scarce external specialists with inconsistent training and limited oncology expertise.

With NICE already endorsing acupuncture for chronic pain, migraine prevention, and tension-type headaches, oncology centres that adopt early will be positioned as leaders when guidelines inevitably expand to cancer care.

We Offer a Gradual Implementation Tailor Made for Your Services