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Psychology offers important support for individuals in cancer treatment. It is complementary treatment, meaning that
it is added to the medical treatment and not put in place of this. Early studies found that group psychotherapy had significant
benefits of improved mood, reduced stress, reduced pain, and even improved survival rates. This later is now in debate but
the other benefits are found time and time again.
The most famous of the early studies published in 1989 was that
of David Spiegel M.D. of Stanford Medical School. He ran a one year group for metastatic breast cancer patients and found
that the group members had reduced pain, improved mood, and increased survival rates. The group learned self-hypnosis for
pain control, assertiveness, and had a forum for expressing feelings. Note that this was not a support group. It was
a therapy group in which new skills were learned.
A more recent study by Pamela Goodwin MD in 2001 did not support
the effect of increased survival rates but did support the quality-of-life benefits of less pain and less distress. She also
worked with metastatic breast cancer.
Imagery for cancer has been around at least since Carl Simonton MD began exploring
this area in the early 1970's. This work continued with Jeanne Achterberg and Frank Lawlis Ph.D., among others. One study
examined breast cancer patients who used imagery with those who were in a support group with a third group who had medical
treatment alone. This study was done by Mary Ann Richardson at the Center for Alternative Medicie at the University of Texas-Houston.
She found that both the imagery and support groups improved coping and attitudes. Imagery also reduced stress and improved
quality of life.
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An important aspect of most of the psychological treatment for cancer patients is stress management. These are techniques
of relaxation, breathing for calmness, imagery, and problem-solving, among others. In general, stress management has been
found to provide major benefits. These are:
- Pain reduction.
- Reduction in anticpatory nausea.
- Reduction in depression.
- Less anxiety.
- Improved sleep.
- Improved immune system functioning.
It is clear that basic stress management improves quality of life and should
be offered to all cancer patients. Gradually more scientific research will be available on the impact of psychological treatment
for cancer. The National Cancer Institute established an Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine to do clinical
trials. David Spiegel M.D. is doing a follow-up study to his earlier one. Keep your eyes open for more clear evidence. In
the meantime, support yourself or someone you love who has cancer by getting them to a psychologist who works with mind/body
treatment.
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