@article {Mao323, author = {Jun J. Mao and Rana Leed and Marjorie A. Bowman and Krupali Desai and Manuel Bramble and Katrina Armstrong and Frances Barg}, title = {Acupuncture for Hot Flashes: Decision Making by Breast Cancer Survivors}, volume = {25}, number = {3}, pages = {323--332}, year = {2012}, doi = {10.3122/jabfm.2012.03.110165}, publisher = {The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine}, abstract = {Purpose: Hot flashes (HFs) are a particularly common and distressing symptom among breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Given its low rate of side effects, acupuncture shows promise as a therapeutic approach for HFs, but little is known about BCS{\textquoteright}s decision making about the use of acupuncture. This study seeks to identify attitudes and beliefs about using acupuncture for HFs by BCSs. Methods: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a conceptual framework, we conducted semistructured interviews among women with stage I{\textendash}III breast cancer who had finished primary treatment and were currently experiencing HFs. Interviews were taped, transcribed, and coded. We used a modified grounded theory approach to analyze the data. Results: Twenty-five BCSs (13 whites/12 African American) participated in the study. Respondents stated that their intended use of acupuncture for HFs would be dependent on (1) expected therapeutic effects (eg, pain relief, energy); (2) practical concerns (eg, fear of needles, practitioner experience, time commitment); and (3) source of decision support/validation (eg, family members, physicians, self). Although constructs in the TPB accounted for many decision factors, respondents identified 2 major themes outside of the TPB: (1) viewing acupuncture as a natural alternative to medications, and (2) assessing the degree of HFs as bothersome enough in the context of other medical comorbidities to trigger the need for therapy. Conclusion: BCSs expressed varied expected therapeutic benefits, practical concerns, and decision support, emphasizing the {\textquotedblleft}natural appeal{\textquotedblright} and symptom appraisal as key determinants when using acupuncture for HFs. Incorporating these factors in counseling BCSs may promote patient-centered communication, leading to improved hot flash management and quality of life.}, issn = {1557-2625}, URL = {https://www.jabfm.org/content/25/3/323}, eprint = {https://www.jabfm.org/content/25/3/323.full.pdf}, journal = {The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine} }