With Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October came a new study that reveals some hopeful findings. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute recently published a study that links hypnosis to an improved breast cancer recovery period.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City recruited 200 women and randomly assigned them to one control group and one group to undergo hypnosis. Women in the hypnosis group received a short 15-minute hypnosis session with a psychologist right before surgery was to be performed. Women in the control group received a 15-minute emotional support session from the same psychologist prior to their surgery.
The findings are very interesting. Women in the hypnosis group required significantly less medication during surgery than the women in the control group. Though the amount of pain medication taken after the surgery was the same between the control and hypnosis group, the women in the hypnosis group reported less pain, nausea, fatigue, and emotional upset than the women in the control group.
The women in the hypnosis group also spent less time on the operating table and ended up costing on average $770 less than the patients in the control group. With these kinds of findings, you can be sure that there will be further tests to record long-term effects of hypnosis on breast cancer patients.
Sonia Jakowler, director of the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Cell Biology Branch reacts to the study by saying, “If you can decrease the amount of pain using a technique such as hypnosis, and you can also at the same time reduce cost involved in treating these patients, I think it’s beneficial both ways.”
What do you think of the recent study linking hypnosis to an improved recovery period for breast cancer patients?
Do you think hospitals should consider having hypnosis sessions available to all breast cancer patients?
This is really good news, yet not surprising to me. I have always felt that a person's general attitude and mindset are very important to the survival of cancer and other serious illnesses. It sounds like hypnosis could be a pretty effective method to tap into that inner strength.
cvarano::
on Nov 02, 2007
I agree. I think everyone has that inner strength and perhaps it's a bit more hidden in some. Hypnosis could probably help a lot of people. Your mental state is extremely important and connected to your physical state. We need to keep thinking positive.
tammy::
on Nov 04, 2007
I think hospitals should offer every possible means to help the outcome of their patients. If hypnosis has been proven to work, and reduce their costs, there is no reason it should not be available.
sharman421::
on Nov 05, 2007
Anything that works to make that patient a survivor!
sweetfox::
on Nov 07, 2007
Yes I do! I think that the current finding are positive enough that it should be offered and available to all patients. If I am ever in this situation I would want to try it for sure.
newtest::
on Nov 07, 2007
If more people could understand that thier mind is more powerful than any rx,Prescription prices and dependency would dramaticaly decline.
sireeshasri::
on May 26, 2008
gfgfdg
GerberaDaisies::
on Jun 20, 2008
I believe that the mind is a very powerful tool so, this doesn't surprise me. After all, our minds do control our body. We just need to learn how to utilize that strength. I think it's great that they are branching out and trying other options in addition to pharmaceuticals and, as an added bonus, are spending less money in the process.
dizzyspell1313::
on Jul 21, 2008
i think studies like this have the unfortunate side effect of adding to the "mind over matter" mystique surrounding illness recovery and disability. if women can be hypnotized into having a shorter recovery time, this sends a message implying that the pain of recovery can be overcome by sheer will and inner strength--ignoring the very real pain, fatigue and depression that many women go through, and can't will themselves out of.
tishatoone::
on Jul 22, 2008
I think that hospitals and insurance carriers should offer all types of alternative cares. I know that you can pretty much get anything you want for $$$, but many times it will be out of your own pocket. I would be willing to try it for menopause!!
