A cancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming physical and emotional challenges, from stress and anxiety to chronic pain and fatigue. While medical treatments are essential, integrating mindfulness techniques can provide powerful support in managing these side effects. Mindfulness—rooted in present-moment awareness—helps patients cultivate emotional resilience, reduce distress, and improve overall quality of life during and after treatment.
In this blog, we explore the specific ways mindfulness techniques can help with some of the effects of a cancer diagnosis and management including stress and anxiety, fatigue, pain and coping skills.
Table of Contents:
- Mindfulness Techniques for Stress and Anxiety Reduction
- Mindfulness Techniques for Pain Management
- Mindfulness Techniques for Improved Sleep Quality
- Mindfulness Techniques for Enhanced Coping of Side Effects
- One-to-One and Group Mindfulness Sessions
Mindfulness Techniques for Stress and Anxiety Reduction
Cancer diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety. Mindfulness practices help patients regulate their emotions, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of control.
Focusing on the present moment through breathing or visualization techniques, is a key pillar of mindfulness practice. Numerous studies have found the positive effects of mindfulness including coping, personal growth, and well being in cancer patients.[i]
Mindfulness Techniques for Pain Management
Cancer pain is a multidimensional experience involving physical, cognitive and behavioural components. Studies suggest that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can alter pain perception, making pain more manageable without solely relying on medications.
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be effective in relieving cancer related pain by moderating the client’s emotional appraisal of pain.[ii] Techniques such as mindfulness meditation and body scanning can help patients dissociate from pain or experience it with reduced distress.
Mindfulness Techniques for Improved Sleep Quality
Many cancer patients struggle with insomnia or poor sleep due to treatment side effects and emotional distress. Numerous studies have suggested that mindfulness-based stress reduction practices have positive effects on sleep quality.[iii]
Mindfulness practices, such as guided meditation and mindful breathing, can promote relaxation and improve sleep patterns. Improved sleep quality and quantity will often lead to decreased daytime fatigue.
Mindfulness Techniques for Enhanced Coping with Side Effects
Mindfulness helps patients cope with nausea, fatigue, and other side effects of chemotherapy or radiation. It enables a more accepting and adaptive response to discomfort. A systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions found that present positive emotional experiences for cancer patients that help them cope with the psychological distress associated with a cancer diagnosis.[iv]
One-to-One and Group Mindfulness Sessions
Mindfulness can be a powerful tool for people with cancer, helping to reduce stress, manage pain, and improve overall well-being. By fostering a sense of presence and emotional balance, it enables people to cope with the uncertainties and challenges of their journey.
One-to-one mindfulness sessions offer additional benefits by providing personalized guidance tailored to individual needs, allowing for deeper emotional support and a safe space to explore thoughts and feelings. In my professional experience I have taught both group and one-to-one mindfulness practices. Both can be invaluable in a client’s healing journey.
At Propel Physiotherapy we offer one-to-one mindfulness training to provide you with the tools and techniques to help support wellness during and after their treatment. This personalized approach enhances the effectiveness of mindfulness, making it a valuable resource for those seeking comfort, resilience, and a greater sense of control during their cancer journey.
References
[i] Nasim Badaghi, Cecilie Buskbjerg, Linda Kwakkenbos, Sabien Bosman, Robert Zachariae, Anne Speckens,
Positive health outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions for cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Clinical Psychology Review, Volume 114, 2024, 102505, ISSN 0272-7358, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102505.
[ii] Ngamkham S, Holden JE, Smith EL. A Systematic Review: Mindfulness Intervention for Cancer-Related Pain. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2019 Apr-Jun;6(2):161-169. doi: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_67_18. PMID: 30931361; PMCID: PMC6371675.
[iii] Hyo-Weon Suh, Ha Yeong Jeong, Sunggyu Hong, Jong Woo Kim, Seong Woo Yoon, Jee Young Lee, Sun-Yong Chung, The mindfulness-based stress reduction program for improving sleep quality in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis,
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 57, 2021, 102667, ISSN 0965-2299, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102667.
[iv] Bo Zhou, Lim Gek Mui, Jinnan Li, Jiahui Hu, The impact of mindfulness-based interventions on the experiences of cancer patients: A qualitative meta-synthesis, Patient Education and Counseling, Volume 127, 2024, 108353, ISSN 0738-3991, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2024.108353.
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