Traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women globally. While treatments such as chemotherapy and endocrine therapy have contributed to improving survival rates, there remains a critical need for more effective therapeutic options. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with a history spanning thousands of years, has long been utilized in the management of BC. This includes a wide range of practices, such as the use of traditional compound prescriptions, Chinese medicine monomers and extracts, acupuncture, moxibustion, and mind-body therapies. This review summarizes the brief history and experience of TCM in treating BC refer to numerous ancient Chinese medical texts, and explores the role of various TCM approaches in the treatment of BC, providing an in-depth analysis of their potential benefits. Additionally, it addresses the current limitations and challenges in researching TCM's effectiveness for BC. Through this review, we aim to offer valuable insights into how TCM can complement conventional therapies and enhance outcomes for patients with BC.