| Oncologists and those who care for cancer | | | | patients, like massage therapy, biofeedback |
| patients are usually open to any and all | | | | therapy, hypnosis therapy, acupuncture therapy, |
| suggestions for ways that a cancer patient can | | | | etc. Meditation is not a cure for cancer. It is only a |
| be treated or cared for better. These doctors | | | | therapy that is used in conjunction with standard |
| and caregivers see the minute-by-minute suffering | | | | cancer treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, |
| and pain (both physical and mental) that cancer | | | | radiation therapy, and drug therapy. |
| causes. | | | | There are many instructions for meditation, but |
| It's been proven that meditation therapy is an | | | | basically all meditation starts the same way. You |
| effective complimentary therapy for cancer | | | | start by choosing a quiet place without |
| patients. There are several types of meditation. | | | | distractions. You sit or rest quietly with your eyes |
| One very common-type meditation is called | | | | closed and pay attention to your breathing and |
| transcendental meditation. Transcendental | | | | physical sensations. You notice them and then let |
| meditation involves repeating a word or phrase | | | | go of all intruding thoughts. |
| (mantra) over and over, either silently or aloud. | | | | In the last two decades, meditation has been |
| Another type meditation is often referred to as | | | | studied in clinical trials with a focus on reducing |
| mindfulness meditation. In mindfulness meditation, | | | | stress on the mind and body. Research has |
| a person observes sensations, perceptions, and | | | | proven that meditation can help reduce anxiety, |
| thoughts without judgment as they arise. There | | | | stress, blood pressure, chronic pain, and insomnia. |
| are other kinds of meditation that focus attention | | | | It stands to reason that meditation can help |
| by walking or visualizing. | | | | cancer patients reduce pain, stress, anxiety, and |
| Meditation is often used in conjunction with other | | | | fear. Meditation can improve the quality of life. |
| kinds of complimentary therapies for cancer | | | | |