Cancer guided imagery

Cancer guided imagery is an internal process that creates messages with images. These messages include directions and goals that are communicated to your entire body and/or any area you choose. For this reason, cancer guided imagery has been labeled a “mind intervention with the body.” This intervention incorporates the power and resources of the mind to convey desired positive responses and changes.

Cancer imagery aims to help reduce and relieve side effects and also to lessen the fear and stress of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. According to an article from the University of California, San Diego, a review of 46 studies conducted from 1966 to 1998 by the American Cancer Society found that guided imagery was effective in managing stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Cancer guided imagery is recommended in conjunction with prescribed medical treatment, not as a stand-alone therapy.