Oncology Support
With Emotional and Physical Challenges
Hypnotherapy Can Support You
A cancer diagnosis often brings with it a wave of emotions and experiences. But alongside the challenges, many people discover new ways to build resilience, strengthen their coping strategies and take a more active role in their care.
With the right support, it’s possible to:
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Feel calmer and more in control, even when facing surgery, scans, or medical appointments.
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Overcome fears and phobias, such as fear of needles or enclosed spaces during MRI scans.
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Reduce or prevent anticipatory nausea and feel more comfortable before and during chemotherapy.
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Manage pain naturally and feel more at ease during recovery from surgery or treatment.
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Improve sleep and rest more deeply, even during uncertain or physically demanding times.
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Develop a stronger mindset that helps you feel prepared, grounded and supported.
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Support your body’s natural healing processes with research showing that reduced stress may promote faster recovery, less fatigue and even shorter hospital stays.
Hypnotherapy offers a calm, collaborative space to help you access these strengths and manage the physical and emotional effects of treatment more effectively.
Hypnotherapy Can Help:
Hypnotherapy is a well-established complementary approach that has been shown in clinical research to support people undergoing cancer treatment in meaningful, measurable ways.
1. Reducing Anxiety and Preparing for Medical Interventions
Hypnosis helps you mentally rehearse medical procedures in a calm and positive state, lowering anticipatory anxiety and improving tolerance. Patients report feeling more in control and better able to cope with scans, surgery and chemotherapy sessions.
Example: Hypnotherapy can support someone with MRI claustrophobia to mentally prepare for staying calm and still during the scan.
2. Managing Phobias (Needles, Scans, Hospitals)
Hypnosis combined with cognitive techniques can reduce conditioned fear responses and increase confidence, making it easier to receive injections or remain calm during procedures.
3. Reducing Anticipatory Nausea and Vomiting
Hypnotherapy has shown particular promise in helping people recondition the brain’s response to chemotherapy-related cues—like the clinic smell or the sight of a drip—reducing or eliminating anticipatory nausea.
4. Pain Relief and Improved Surgical Recovery
Hypnosis is increasingly used before and after surgery to reduce perceived pain, promote relaxation, and reduce the need for medication. Studies show shorter hospital stays, improved immune response, and even less surgical fatigue when hypnosis is used preoperatively.
5. Improving Sleep and Emotional Resilience
Hypnotherapy promotes deeper rest and helps manage ruminative thinking or distress, often common when coping with diagnosis and treatment. It encourages emotional processing and improves quality of life.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Hypnotherapy offers a safe, collaborative way to support your wellbeing alongside medical treatment. It doesn’t replace your doctors, it helps you work with your body and mind to improve how you feel, how you cope and how you heal.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re preparing for surgery, undergoing chemotherapy or struggling with anxiety related to treatment, I’m here to help.
Book your complimentary discovery call to explore how hypnotherapy could support you or a loved one during this time.
Helped Through Surgery For Breast Cancer
'I was only on paracetamol for 2–3 days after my mastectomy (DIEP + reconstruction). On Day 5, the specialist pain nurse was surprised I wasn’t on morphine-based medication. She even asked if I had a high pain threshold (I don’t). When she asked what I’d been doing, I explained that I’d had hypnotherapy sessions with Claire focusing on relaxation, breathing techniques and mental rehearsal before the surgery and listened to hypnosis audios throughout my recovery.
I’m so grateful for Claire’s support. I would never have managed this without her. Highly recommended; the mind plays such a vital role in preparing and healing.'
Mum of 2, UK
Research Supporting Hypnosis in Cancer Care
1. Effect of hypnosis before general anesthesia on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing minor surgery for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study: Zeng, J., Wang, L., Cai, Q., Wu, J. and Zhou, C. (2022) ‘Effect of hypnosis before general anesthesia on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing minor surgery for breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, Gland Surgery, 11(3), pp. 588–598. doi:10.21037/gs-22-114.
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of preoperative hypnosis on postoperative outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing minor surgery. The analysis revealed that hypnosis before general anaesthesia significantly reduced preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain.
2. Applications of hypnosis as an adjuvant in oncological setting: a systematic review.
Study: Franch, M., Alarcón, A. and Capafons, A. (2023) ‘Applications of hypnosis as an adjuvant in oncological settings: a systematic review’, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 71(1), pp. 1–24.
Summary: This systematic review analysed 22 studies to evaluate the benefits of hypnosis as an adjunct to evidence-based cancer treatments. The findings indicated that hypnosis significantly reduced anxiety, pain, nausea, fatigue, and medication use, while also decreasing hospital stays. Additionally, it improved depressive symptoms, insomnia, hot flashes, overall well-being, and quality of life, and enhanced treatment adherence. Importantly, hypnosis had no reported side effects.
3. Clinical Hypnosis For Pain Reduction in Breast Cancer Mastectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Study: Moreno Hernández, D., Téllez, A., Sánchez-Jáuregui, T., García, C.H., García-Solís, M. and Valdez, A. (2022) ‘Clinical hypnosis for pain reduction in breast cancer mastectomy: a randomized clinical trial’, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 70(1), pp. 4–15.
Summary: This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of clinical hypnosis on pain reduction in breast cancer mastectomy patients. The results indicated that patients who received clinical hypnosis experienced significantly lower pain intensity and interference with daily activities compared to the control group. The study supports the use of clinical hypnosis as a complementary measure for pain management in breast cancer patients.
4. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Plus Hypnosis for Distress During Breast Radiotherapy: A Randomized Trial.
Study: Montgomery, G.H., Sucala, M., Dillon, M.J. and Schnur, J.B. (2017) ‘Cognitive-behavioral therapy plus hypnosis for distress during breast radiotherapy: a randomized trial’, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 60(2), pp. 109–122.
Summary: This randomised study found that cognitive behavioural therapy with hypnosis was efficacious in significantly reducing emotional distress in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer during, at the end and 4 weeks after radiotherapy treatment, which was consistent with previous studies.