The Growing Role of Hypnotherapy in Cancer Care

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity around the world. It can affect any part of the body, invade nearby tissues and spread to distant organs. Early and accurate diagnosis offers more treatment options and can improve patient outcomes. Treatment goals typically include curing or controlling cancer while improving the quality of life. Treatment plans often include supportive and palliative care as well as psychosocial support. Hypnosis is starting to play an increasingly large role in many cancer treatment plans. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, self hypnosis for cancer patients might be a good option too.  

While the disease itself is serious, cancer often has a ripple effect on a person’s life, with both the disease and treatment affecting many other parts of their life. People can suffer not just pain but fatigue, lost appetite, nausea, hair loss, changes in bone marrow, anxiety and depression. Cancer treatment has historically focused on treating the cancerous cells, but today, doctors understand how important it is to take a more holistic approach that includes comprehensive supportive care to alleviate symptoms brought on by the cancer treatments. Self hypnosis for cancer patients can play a major role in this type of care. 

Hypnosis in Cancer Care

One of the first documented cases of hypnosis in cancer care was that of Madame Plantin, a breast cancer patient. Dr. Chapelain used hypno-analgesia to anesthetize M. Plantin during her mastectomy. The hypnosis helped M. Plantin remain calm and comfortable throughout her procedure and was considered a success.  

Other studies have since demonstrated that hypnotherapy can be a safe and effective alternative therapy for a wide range of cancer-related pain problems, including:  

• Pediatric cancer pain 
• Percutaneous tumor treatments 
• Post-biopsy pain 
• Pain in terminally ill cancer patients 
• Chronic pain in breast cancer patients 

Hypnosis is effective for pain that is associated with procedures as well as pain caused by malignant tumors. Both an NIH assessment panel and a systematic review support using hypnosis for treating cancer pain. 

Hypnosis for Cancer Intervention and Symptom Relief

The benefits of hypnosis extend beyond cancer pain relief. Hypnosis can improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs. One study found that breast biopsy patients experienced less anxiety during their procedures when they used hypnosis, and in another study, breast biopsy patients who experienced hypnosis had less post-biopsy pain, less distress and greater overall treatment satisfaction than those who did not.  

Hypnosis has also been effective at reducing the side effects associated with conventional cancer treatments. Side effects can often be extensive and severe and may include:  

• Pediatric cancer pain 
• Percutaneous tumor treatments 
• Post-biopsy pain 
• Pain in terminally ill cancer patients 
• Chronic pain in breast cancer patients 

UpNow’s self hypnosis audios for cancer can help ease your discomfort, soothe your pain and soften the side effects. It can be a part of your total care package as you focus on health and healing.  

The Truth about Self Hypnosis for Cancer Patients

For many people, hypnosis has long been relegated as a comedy club routine or a fun party trick. In reality, hypnosis is a state of deep relaxation that frees your mind from its everyday concerns. When you experience hypnosis, you focus more intently and tune out all external distractions. This allows you to bypass the critical factor, and the subconscious mind becomes more responsive to the power of suggestion. 

Traditionally, hypnosis has been performed with a therapist and a patient, but researchers are exploring a variety of new delivery methods, including e-hypnosis using hypnosis downloads and self hypnosis audios for cancer . These are easy to use and can be incorporated into your daily routine at your home, office or any time you have a few quiet moments to devote to yourself. Self hypnosis for cancer patients can be used in conjunction with any conventional cancer therapies to alleviate symptoms, promote a sense of wellbeing and to help you relax and reduce anxiety or other emotional symptoms. Hypnosis is non-invasive, and numerous studies underscore the many benefits associated with it, especially in the area of cancer care.  

In one study, the hypnosis group had superior outcomes than 89 percent of the control group patients, who did not experience hypnosis. The benefits included not just less pain and speedier recovery but also:  

• Less use of pain medication 
• Reduced pain intensity 
• Less analgesia use 
• Less nausea and vomiting 
• Improved affect 
• Reduced fatigue 
• Improved blood pressure 
• Improved treatment time 
• Greater overall mental well-being 

The evidence shows that hypnosis can effectively control pain, reduce emotional symptoms and promote recovery. Self hypnosis for cancer patients can help you bring these benefits home.  

At UpNow, we offer a wide range of self hypnosis audios for cancer patients that can offer you the relief you need. Check out our site to learn more about your options for self hypnosis for cancer patients or to download your choice of hypnosis audios today.