The Psychology of Cancer: Mind Over Matter

A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event. One minute, you’re just you, diagnosis is made, you’re now a cancer survivor. Wow, that didn’t take long. And as devastating as that cancer diagnosis is, it isn’t a death sentence. Far from it. There are millions of cancer survivors around the globe enjoying rich, full, LONG lives thanks to advances in treatment options.

An article in Psychology Today points out that one of the most controversial treatment options also delivers the most positive results in more and more people with the Big C diagnosis. The article, first, points out that 50% of men and 33% of women face the prospect of a cancer diagnosis. Hmmm, that can’t be good.

However, the Psychology Today article wasn’t about the widespread nature of cancer. Nope, this article was about the psychology associated with receiving that dreaded diagnosis. More specifically, this informative piece describes the success oncologists and other cancer specialists are seeing in a change in patient psychology.

Psychology and Stress Levels

Hey, you just got a diagnosis of cancer. You’re bound to be stressed to the max. Who wouldn’t be?

However, today, psychologists are brought in to the treatment team to help both patient and family members discover how to cope with the added stress a cancer diagnosis delivers to everyone associated with the actual cancer patient. Many times, the diagnosis is more difficult on family and loved ones than on the patient!

The Psychology Today article also points out that there’s enough solid evidence to suggest that psychology may actually increase the patient’s immune system and extend life – sometimes for decades. Mind over matter folks. There’s been a long-known correlation between the physical and the psychological – the brain. Sure, they’re distinct. But, the brain and body work in conjunction 24/7 so it’s safe to assume that negative emotions, like stress, will make a difficult situation worse for the patient and the family.

One Women’s Story

One patient, mentioned in the Psychology Today article, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986. “I was stunned. I spent my lunch hours working out. I ate good things. I was a health nut.”

The patient underwent a mastectomy and, purely by chance, she met a psychologist at the Ontario Cancer Institute.

The patient worked with the psychologist in both private, one-on-one meetings and in support groups that transformed the patients life. She wasn’t alone. She wasn’t singled out. And she discovered that she had a lot to live for.

Together, the patient and the psychologist developed a program of meditation and other relaxation techniques. She also participated in group sessions to learn better how to cope with the grief, fear, depression, anger and “woe-is-me” view that cancer had somehow grabbed her, shook up her life and had pronounced a death sentence.

With the help of the group, by listening to the experiences of others in the same boat, this women learned to live her life – to take control of her life again and not let the cancer diagnosis turn her into a victim. She was in charge, and thanks to the support group and one on one sessions with a psychologist, she conquered cancer.

Sadly, when her cancer returned in 1990, her doctor “gave” her three months to live. “It was the skills I learned that got me through – and continue to get through.” When she applied the mind over matter approach she’d learned from 1986 though 1990 that prepared her for a second devastating diagnosis. The cancer had returned like some unseen, terrifying monster.

Only this time, using the skills, exercises and attitude changes that she’d learned through the Ontario Cancer Institute, she took this second diagnosis of the return of cancer in stride. In fact, this individual went totally pro-active.

First, she stopped all physical treatment. No more chemo or radiation. Why should she continue with these treatment options when they didn’t work in the first place? Makes sense, right?

She spent her time meditating and focusing on the positives in her life, living each day to the fullest. (When a doctor tells you that you’ve got three months to live, you BETTER live each day to fullest and appreciate every sunrise, sunset, thunderstorm and the buzzing of the bees.)

Ahh, but here’s the kicker. After rejecting the traditional approaches to the treatment of cancer, this patient continued her physical activities – meditation and relaxation techniques. She continued to attend her support groups in her community, becoming more and more active with each passing month.

Wait, didn’t her doctor say she would succumb to cancer in three months? Funny thing. Today, the one-time, whipped, down-trodden VICTEM of cancer is cancer free, as in no sign of cancer in any of the most stringent tests.

This Isn’t News and the Science Backs It Up

David Spiegel is an MD and psychologist, aka, an authority. Back in 1989 (yes, last century), Dr. Spiegel published a now famous paper on the impact psychology “interventions” have on lengthening life.

In Dr. Spiegel’s study, support groups were formed to come together once a week to share their experiences and alleviate a little of that stress that builds up on non-meeting days. All members of these support groups had experienced that dreaded cancer diagnosis, but each member of the groups received the unconditional support of other group members, creating a unified front against cancer.

Power to the people! It seems to be Dr. Spiegel’s message. Well, get this…

…the good doctor follows up on the group members 10 years later to see how well those support groups worked. Interesting discovery. The participants in support groups lived 18 months longer than those who were placed in control groups. 18 months longer. And the only difference between the two groups? One attended support groups and received psychological counseling while the other control groups didn’t.

In science, that’s quantifiable “data” that can be replicated over and over. The brain – and your attitude about your cancer - impacts the quality of your life as you live each day to the max.

And why shouldn’t you. You’ve got a lot of living to do, no matter where you are in the cancer line. It doesn’t matter, Dr. Spiegel discovered.

Coping With Cancer Treatments

So, does the 1989 study suggest that cancer patients give up chemo or radiation or both and focus on building a Zen garden in which to medicate. Ahhh, no.

However, a psychologist trained in treating oncology patients can help folks cope better with their traditional treatments. Chemo sucks. Radiation isn’t a romp on the beach, either. But, in the mind over matter equation, a practiced psychologist can help cancer patients better cope with their treatments, making these treatments less frightening and even less painful.

It’s not uncommon to see patients receiving in-hospital chemo as they’re typing away on their laptops designing their new businesses. It’s a great way to pass the boring time and maintain that positive attitude.

No, continue the medical treatment your oncologist recommends and stick to it like glue. These treatments are based on decades of study so they work. However, cancer, according to recent studies, isn’t just about the physiology of the body.

It’s also about the mind and how it deals with cancer. Does the patient collapse and give up all hope. (Not a good idea!) Or does the patient engage in psychologists and support groups to provide the psychic energy required to get through the traditional treatments with less interruption of life – YOUR life.

The brain is a wonderful, mysterious organ that controls many of the systems of the body. It also controls emotions, positive visualizations and an outlook that goes on forever. Nobody ever wants to hear the words, “You have tongue cancer.”

However, if you do receive such a diagnosis, engage both body and mind to maintain control over your life.

Never let cancer “own” you. Control your life through traditional treatments and support group members who have “been there before.”

To find a cancer survivors’ support group in your neighborhood, check your local newspaper or call your local hospital that often organize and facilitate these support groups.

And if you DO get anxious or depressed, talk to a psychiatrist or psychologist to help you better understand your feelings. They’re normal. You’re normal.

So, join a support group today and don’t go through this alone. Share your experiences with others who know just what you mean. Working with traditional treatments and group support…

…suddenly, that cancer diagnosis doesn’t seem quite so frightening. You’ve got a lot of living to do.

So live it.