The Psychology of Cancer 2011

I have spoken to a number of people who believe that they have contributed to curing themselves of cancer. They feel that they created changes in their lives which allowed their bodies to fight the disease more effectively. Some of the changes identified as important were psychological ones like learning how to express or manage emotions better, achieving inner tranquillity, gaining self-confidence and hopeful attitudes. Generally these people are not negative about conventional medical therapies, but they do attach great importance to psychological factors in managing their conditions.

There is a very strong body of opinion, some of it coming from medically trained professionals, which holds that psychological factors are of overwhelming importance in the management of cancer patients. Part of this is about health behaviour. People who are more “positive” may seek out and and then complete onerous treatments; they may eat and sleep better and have healthier activities.

Part of the importance of Psychological factors in dealing with cancer has to do with the idea that medical treatment, and the body's own defences, may be assisted by optimising one's psychological state. Psychological state is mirrored in the biological state. The converse is also true. The diagnosis and course of cancer and some medical treatments often lead to great psychological distress. People who are less distressed can complete treatments better and cope better in a variety of ways.

Some people with cancer need a great deal of emotional support, and that support may not be readily available through normal health systems. Support might come in the form of assistance and love from within the family, counselling in stress management from a professional of some kind, or just meeting with others in the same problem and sharing some useful experiences together.

I can think of several examples of people who have benefited from focussing on the psychology of the cancer management situation. One case involved a successful businesswoman who had just received her diagnosis of terminal cancer. On the surface she seemed to be coping well, but knowing she was going to lose her loved ones along with her life she had begun to feel an overwhelming sense of isolation. Learning to relax/meditate did not cure her cancer, but it helped to restore some feeling of control over her emotional experience, and gave her a way of achieving real calmness from time to time.

I have been involved with several people who wanted to go through with their chemotherapy but who found that they had developed an intense fear of needles, or even anticipatory nausea and vomiting. In the latter the patient begins feeling nausea, and even vomits, long before the regular chemotherapy is given. It seems to be a response that is learned (conditioned) as a result of previous associations between the medical situation and unpleasant treatment experiences. Sometimes the patient is unable to drive down the street where the hospital is located without getting physically sick. Desensitisation procedures with hypnosis are usually successful allowing patients to complete their chemotherapy programs with much less discomfort.

One of the strongest reasons I have for favouring the use of psychological techniques with cancer patients came from my experiences with a young man who was dying of widespread cancers. He was in considerable pain, and the very powerful painkillers he was taking were clouding his mind and limiting his emotional contact with his family. His family contacted me the day before he was due to return home from hospital to die. His doctor said death was imminent and was reluctant to let him take the 160 km journey home.

I used hypnosis/relaxation and was grateful that he was a very responsive subject. Grateful because now I knew I could do something to help. In one or two sessions he learned how to distance himself from much of his pain so that he was able to dramatically reduce his morphine intake. He was able to use this technique every day till the day he died 6 weeks later. Close to the end he remarked that it had meant the difference between living in a drug induced stupor, out of touch with his family, as opposed to feeling that he was loved and cared for as never before. Naturally enough it made a great difference to his family as well.

Many communities have support groups for cancer patients. Some of these are associated with particular hospitals and have a major input from medically trained personnel, and others have been established by people with cancer or their friends who have recognised the considerable need in the community for such organised help.

In my experience potential users of such groups may find just what they need with one support group, but may be disappointed with another, and I see this as a reason for having as many different types of groups as possible. Just as people may use the doctor of their choice they may select the support group that is most congenial to them.

My personal preference, when it comes to referring patients to such groups, is for groups that aim to encourage "self help practices," working within the available medical support system. In such groups attention is given to the development of self-caring attitudes, information about proper diet(no extreme fads here), stress management (with regular relaxation/meditation practice), information sharing, and supportive understanding and caring. An important focus is simply to break the cycle of loneliness and isolation that so often affects people with cancer. I led many such short term groups myself, but these stories can be found in other articles.