BEHAVIOR THERAPY/PSYCHOTHERAPY
Behavior therapy and psychotherapy are two psychological approaches that have been used in the treatment of cancer. Behavior therapy focuses on modifying unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, substance abuse, and a sedentary lifestyle, while psychotherapy focuses on improving an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. These therapies aim to alleviate stress and anxiety, which can lead to a weakened immune system, making the individual more vulnerable to cancer. They also help patients cope with the emotional and psychological distress that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that has been particularly effective in reducing stress and anxiety in cancer patients. CBT helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns, leading to a more positive outlook on life.
Reference: Carey, M., Lambert, S., & Smits, R. (2014). A systematic review of psychotherapy for cancer patients: Overview and recommendations for future research. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs, 2014(50), 346-53. doi: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgu027
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES (EFT) Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a complementary therapy that involves tapping on acupressure points while focusing on a negative emotion or thought. This therapy aims to alleviate the emotional distress associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. By tapping on specific acupressure points, EFT helps restore the balance of the body’s energy system, reducing the negative impact of emotions on the body. Research has shown that EFT can help reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients, improve their quality of life, and alleviate some of the side effects of cancer treatment.
Reference: Clond, M. (2016). Emotional freedom techniques for anxiety: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 204(5), 388-95. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000483
EMOTIONAL TRAUMA AND STRESS REDUCTION/PSYCHOONCOLOGY/ PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY (PNI)
Emotional Trauma and Stress Reduction/Psychooncology/Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) are approaches that aim to alleviate the emotional distress associated with cancer. Emotional trauma and stress can suppress the immune system, making cancer patients more vulnerable to disease. These approaches use a variety of techniques, including relaxation therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and mindfulness meditation, to reduce stress and anxiety. They aim to improve the overall well-being of patients and reduce the negative impact of cancer on their lives. Studies have shown that these approaches can improve immune function, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
Reference: Carlson, L. E., & Groff, S. L. (2010). Mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 683-92. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.04.004
GROUP SUPPORT/GROUP THERAPY
Group support and group therapy are approaches that involve cancer patients coming together to share their experiences, feelings, and concerns. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment where patients can express their emotions and connect with others going through similar experiences. The groups are led by a trained therapist or counselor and aim to provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. Group therapy has been shown to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve coping skills.
Reference: Classen, C., Butler, L. D., Koopman, C., Miller, E., DiMiceli, S., Giese-Davis, J., … & Spiegel, D. (2001). Supportive-expressive group therapy and distress in patients with metastatic breast cancer: A randomized clinical intervention trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 58(5), 494-501. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.58.5.494
MEDITATION
Meditation is a practice that involves training the mind to focus on a particular object, such as the breath, a sound, or a mantra, to achieve a state of relaxation and mental clarity. This approach has been used in the treatment of cancer to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and alleviate some of the side effects of cancer treatment. Meditation has also been shown to improve immune function, reducing the negative impact of stress on the body. Different types of meditation, such as mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation, and yoga, have been used in cancer treatment, and studies have shown that they can improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
Reference: Matchim, Y., & Armer, J. M. (2007). Measuring the psychological impact of mindfulness meditation on health among patients with cancer: A literature review. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34(5), 1059-66. doi: 10.1188/07.ONF.1059-1066
NEW MEDICINE/DR. HAMER
New Medicine/Dr. Hamer is a controversial approach to cancer treatment that rejects the use of traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. This approach views cancer as a biological response to a traumatic event and claims that cancer cells are produced as part of a healing process. According to this theory, cancer cells are not harmful and should not be removed or destroyed. Instead, the underlying emotional trauma must be addressed to allow the body to heal itself. However, this approach has been widely discredited by the medical community, and there is no evidence to support its claims.
Reference: Lehto, J. T., & Ehrlich, K. (2008). New Medicine: Controversies and relevance to oncology. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26(25), 4289-91. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2008.17.1479
PRAYER
Prayer is a spiritual practice that has been used in the treatment of cancer. This approach involves asking a higher power, such as God or a saint, for healing and support. Studies have shown that prayer can improve the psychological well-being of cancer patients, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve their coping skills. Prayer has also been shown to improve immune function, reducing the negative impact of stress on the body. Different forms of prayer, such as intercessory prayer and personal prayer, have been used in cancer treatment.
Reference: Boelens, P. A., Reeves, R. R., & Replogle, W. H. (2012). Kinds of prayer, coping, and cancer treatment: A qualitative study. Journal of Religion and Health, 51(4), 1299-313. doi: 10.1007/s10943-011-9534-4
PSYCHIC SURGERY
Psychic surgery is an alternative therapy that involves the use of spiritual and energy-based techniques to remove negative energy from the body. This approach claims to remove energy blockages and restore the body’s natural healing abilities. However, this approach has been widely discredited by the medical community, and there is no evidence to support its claims.
Reference: Cassileth, B. R., & Deng, G. (2004). Complementary and alternative therapies for cancer. The Oncologist, 9(1), 80-89. DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.9-1-80
SIMONTON METHOD/GUIDED IMAGERY
The Simonton method and guided imagery are approaches that involve visualizing the body’s healing process and using mental images to promote healing. The Simonton method was developed by a physician, Carl Simonton, and his wife, Stephanie Matthews-Simonton, to help cancer patients cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of cancer. This approach involves visualizing the immune system attacking cancer cells and restoring health. Guided imagery is a similar approach that involves imagining peaceful and calming scenes to reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that these approaches can reduce anxiety and depression, improve quality of life, and even improve immune function.
Reference: Richardson, M. A., Post-White, J., Grimm, E. A., Moye, L. A., Singletary, S. E., & Justice, B. (1990). Coping, life attitudes, and immune responses to imagery and group support after breast cancer treatment. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 36(2), 68-77. PMID: 2108458
SUGGESTION/HYPNOSIS/AUTOGENIC TRAINING
Suggestion, hypnosis, and autogenic training are approaches that involve inducing a relaxed and focused state of mind to promote healing. These approaches aim to reduce stress and anxiety and promote positive thinking, which is believed to have a beneficial effect on the body’s healing processes. Hypnosis involves inducing a trance-like state to promote relaxation and suggest positive thoughts and feelings. Autogenic training is a self-hypnosis technique that involves repeating positive affirmations and focusing on physical sensations to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Studies have shown that these approaches can reduce pain, nausea, and anxiety in cancer patients, and even improve immune function.
Reference: Montgomery, G. H., David, D., Winkel, G., Silverstein, J. H., & Bovbjerg, D. H. (2002). The effectiveness of adjunctive hypnosis with surgical patients: A meta-analysis. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 94(6), 1639-45. PMID: 12032046
