Let us be clear from the start. Hypnosis does not treat cancer. It does not shrink tumours, and it is not an alternative to surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
What it can do is make treatment easier to get through. That is no small thing, and it is one of the best-researched uses of hypnosis in medicine.
Where the evidence is
Surgery
In a trial of 200 women having a breast biopsy or lumpectomy, a 15-minute hypnosis session shortly before surgery led to less anaesthetic being needed, and to less pain, nausea, fatigue and emotional upset afterwards. It also saved the hospital money.
Fatigue during radiotherapy
Fatigue is one of the most common and draining side effects of radiotherapy. In another trial, 200 women with breast cancer received either cognitive behavioural therapy combined with hypnosis, or supportive attention, during their radiotherapy.
The treated group had significantly less fatigue at the end of radiotherapy, four weeks later and six months later. At the end of treatment, the average woman in the hypnosis group had less fatigue than 79 per cent of the control group. At six months, that figure was 95 per cent.
Nausea and vomiting
Some people begin to feel sick before chemotherapy even starts, triggered by the sight or smell of the clinic. This is anticipatory nausea, and anti-sickness drugs do little for it.
A systematic review of six randomised trials, most of them in children, found that hypnosis produced a large reduction in chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting compared with usual care, with effects at least as large as those of cognitive behavioural therapy.
Hot flushes
Treatments for breast cancer often cause hot flushes, and hormone therapy is usually not an option. In a trial of women who had been treated for breast cancer, five weekly hypnosis sessions cut hot flush scores by 68 per cent.
Procedures, pain and anxiety
Hypnosis has also been shown to reduce distress during biopsies, bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture, particularly in children, and to help with cancer-related pain and anxiety.
How it is used
- Before surgery or a procedure: a short session for calm and comfort.
- During chemotherapy: imagery to keep nausea at bay, and suggestions that break the link between the clinic and feeling sick.
- During radiotherapy: relaxation and suggestions for energy, alongside CBT techniques.
- For pain: the dial, numbing and distancing techniques described in our pain post.
- For scans: relaxation for people who find scanners claustrophobic.
- For fear and sleep: calming imagery and self-hypnosis.
Patients are usually taught self-hypnosis so they can use it whenever they need it.
What hypnosis cannot do
Be very wary of anyone who claims that hypnosis, visualisation or a positive attitude can cure cancer or boost your immune system to fight it. There is no good evidence for that.
The idea also does harm. It implies that people whose cancer progresses did not think positively enough. That is untrue and unkind. Feeling frightened, angry or low does not make cancer worse.
How to access it
- Ask your care team. Many cancer centres have psychological support or complementary therapy services, and some offer hypnosis or guided relaxation.
- Ask about cancer support charities and centres near you, which often provide relaxation and complementary therapies free of charge.
- Choose carefully. If you go privately, look for a health professional with hypnosis training and experience of working with people who have cancer.
- Tell your oncology team about any complementary therapy you use.
- Never delay or replace medical treatment.
For carers
Watching someone you love go through treatment is exhausting. The same relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques can help you sleep and cope. Many support services are open to carers too.
A simple exercise for the waiting room
- Rest your feet flat on the floor and your hands in your lap.
- Breathe in for four and out for six, ten times.
- Let your shoulders drop a little with each out-breath.
- Picture a place where you feel safe and well. Notice what you can see, hear and feel there.
- Stay there until you are called.
The bottom line
Hypnosis will not treat the cancer. It can make the treatment more bearable, and for many people that matters a great deal.
Next in the series: Hypnosis and the Skin: Warts, Eczema and Psoriasis
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Always follow the advice of your cancer care team.