A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Acupuncture Versus Aromatherapy as Treatments to Lessen Nausea, Vomiting and Anxiety Associated With Adriamycin and Cytoxan

i) Inclusion

• At least 18 years of age on the day of signing informed consent

• Patient has a diagnosis of breast cancer

• Patient is planned to start Adriamycin and Cytoxan chemotherapy

ii) Exclusion

• Patients who are unable to adhere to the protocol or treatment schedule

• Patients who have a concurrent illness or take medication that induces nausea independent of chemotherapy

• Patients undergoing radiotherapy or hormone therapy during chemotherapy treatments

• Patients who have a sensitive and/or poor sense of smell

• Patients who are allergic to essential oils, specifically peppermint, ginger, and/or lavender

• Patients who are already using essential oils or acupuncture for symptom management and are unwilling to stop while participating in this study

• Patients who are afraid of or unwilling to receive acupuncture stimulation

• Patients who are allergic to stainless steel needles

• Thrombocytopenia (Platelets < 20,000)

• Patients who have received aromatherapy and/or acupuncture treatment within 1 week of starting treatment on this study