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Reiki and Breast Cancer
Reiki and Breast Cancer
Author: Peter Zorzella, Founder the Ontario Reiki Programme Centre
A 45-year-old Caucasian woman whose 1st child was born when she was between 20-24 years of
age has an 8% chance of contracting breast cancer before age 90[i]. In addition to coping with the
illness itself, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have undesirable and challenging side effects, and
radical surgeries leave patients psychologically as well as physically changed. This article
examines some of the effects of breast cancer on the patient, and how Reiki can address them.
For Reiki to be applicable in breast cancer treatment requires that it address in some way the
primary symptoms. Other than healing the tumor itself (for which there is anecdotal – but not
experimental - evidence that Reiki can be helpful), the primary effects of breast cancer on a woman
are pain, the side effects of the chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and the psychological impact of the
disease and the surgery.
Breast Cancer Pain
“For women affected by breast cancer, overcoming pain can be a major part of dealing with the
disease and its treatment. Surgery can cause discomfort in the breast and underarm area,
chemotherapy can cause joint pain and mouth sores, and metastatic disease can cause pain in
other parts of the body.” [ii] - Dr. Marisa Weiss, Oncologist specializing in breast cancer, Author of
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (Random House)
Reiki has been found to be effective for dealing with pain. “We use probably 50-80 percent of
nonpharmacologic methods in our NIH pain clinic, meaning non-medication. The things we use
include massage, relaxation, hypnosis, and Reiki therapy, which is also very helpful in fibromyalgia
and chronic fatigue syndromes.” [iii] - Ann Berger, R.N., M.S.N., M.D., Medical oncologist
specializing in pain treatment, Chief of the Pain and Palliative Care Service at the National Institute
of Health in Washington, D.C.
Medical studies using sham practitioners have been carried out with Reiki, and it has been shown
to be effective for pain management. One double-blind study[iv] found that “Reiki is an effective
modality for reducing pain, depression, and anxiety”; Hartford hospital reports that Reiki provides
significant pain relief for surgery patients[v]; Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute concluded that
Reiki showed a highly significant reduction in pain in a pain management study including cancer.
In a study of Reiki for treating HIV-related pain and anxiety[vi], Pamela Miles found that newly
trained Reiki practitioners perceived reductions in pain and anxiety when they performed Reiki on
themselves or classmates. Breast cancer patients can, similarly, be taught first-level Reiki (which
only takes about a day, and has no significant age or ability barriers). Miles found no significant
differences between improvements whether oneself or a classmate did the treatments. The
argument for Level 1 Reiki training for breast cancer patients is compelling, both for pain
management and empowerment.
Chemo- and Radiotherapy Side Effects
Other than hair loss, common side effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain,
and infection due to a reduction in white blood cells known as neutropenia. Neutropenia affects as
many as one-in-three patients receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Patients can develop
fever and infections, particularly in the mouth, throat, sinuses, lungs and skin.[vii]
Reiki may be an appropriate vehicle to help address these undesirable effects. Reiki causes
significant increase in salivary Immunoglobulin A (IgA) [viii], and decreases in blood pressure and
anxiety. Immunoglobulin A protects the body’s mucosal surfaces from infections and is the main
mechanism for providing local immunity against infections in the gut and respiratory tract. This
increase in immune system function would tend to negate the effects of the therapy on the patient’s
immune system. (Author has proposed a clinical study with CHEO to attempt to demonstrate this
mechanism.)
Reiki is already used in several hospitals for cancer patients[ix]: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical
Center (Lebanon, NH), Integrative Medicine Outpatient Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center (New York, NY), Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer at Columbia
Presbyterian Medical Center (New York, NY), Metropolitan South Health Center (“ Direccion de
Servicios Metropolitano Sur”, Santiago, Chile)
Used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments, Reiki is reported (anecdotally) to ease
the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, improve immune function, ease anxiety, enhance
positive emotional attitude, decrease pain, and promote relaxation[x]. Reiki can be part of an
integrated approach to managing cancer with reduced patient impact.
Psychological Effects
In “Depression and Breast Cancer, Jennifer Covitch explores the psychological effects of the
cancer on women with breast cancer: [xi]“These women have a difficult battle to fight, not only
because of their physical problems, but also as a result of developing psychological problems. …
With up to 58% of the breast cancer population developing psychological problems (Alagaratnam &
Kung, 1986; Hinton, 1972), it is incumbent upon the psychological community to increase its
awareness of the issues that women with the disease face.”
While Reiki is not a replacement for counselling and psychological support, one group[xii]
specifically found that “Reiki is an effective modality for reducing …depression, and anxiety”. A
recent review of Reiki practice in the US found that hospital “…staff, patients, and program
administrators report a number of benefits including reduced anxiety and …decreased numbers of
self-reported common gerontological complaints such as anxiety, loneliness, insomnia, and pain…”
[xiii]
Summary
Reiki therapy is safe and non-invasive. It is proving useful in hospices, nursing homes, emergency
rooms, operating rooms, organ transplantation care units, pediatric, neonatal and OB/GYN units;
facilitating relaxation and recovery and decreasing anxiety and pain[xiv]. It can be a helpful addition
to conventional therapy for HIV/AIDS and cancer patients[xv], [xvi]. Reiki provides the patient tools
to deal with the effects on body, mind, and spirit of the cancer, the therapies, surgery, and the
state of their bodies upon recovery. That it can be learned by anyone and that it is useful
immediately upon learning to address the secondary (non-tumor) symptoms, make a compelling
argument for teaching Reiki to every woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer.
______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE:
This material may be used to promote Reiki and Reiki programmes in health care centres so long
as the material is used intact and includes the copyright and attribution.
Reiki is a complement to treatment by a physician. It does not provide services in lieu of a doctor,
nor is it a medical diagnostic tool. However, there is a growing body of opinion that integrative
medicine that takes advantage of all parts of the care spectrum as appropriate is more effective
(and cost-effective) than allopathic treatment alone.
Author: Peter Zorzella, founded the Ontario Reiki Programme Centre to make healing through Reiki
available to everyone who could benefit from it.
REFERENCES:
[i] Detailed Breast Cancer Risk Calculator http://www.halls.md/breast/risk.htm
[ii] Dr. Marisa Weiss, Oncologist specializing in breast cancer, Author of Living Beyond Breast
Cancer (Random House), http://www.breastcancer.org/cmty_trans_2002_4_18.html
[iii] Ann Berger, R.N., M.S.N., M.D., Medical oncologist specializing in pain treatment. Chief of the
Pain and Palliative Care Service at the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C. http://www.
breastcancer.org/cmty_trans_2002_4_18.html
[iv] Linda J. Dressen & Sangeeta Singg, Ph.D., ISSSEEM Journal Vol. 9 No.1, Effects of Reiki on
Pain and Selected Affective and Personality Variables of Chronically Ill Patients, http://www.issseem.
org/journal.html
[v] http://www.harthosp.org/nursing/professionals/pdf/Newsletter-06-2001.pdf
[vi] P.Miles, Preliminary Report on the use of Reiki for HIV-related pain and Anxiety, Alternative
Therapies, Mar/APR 2003, Vol 9, No2, pp 36,
http://www.pamelamilesreiki.com/pdf/research_letter.pdf
[vii] Aretmis Article, Johns Hopkins Medical Centre,
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/breastcenter/artemis/200104/feature10.html
[viii] Wardell DW, Engebretson J., Biological correlates of Reiki Touch (sm) Healing. Journal of
Advanced Nursing 33 (4): 439-45. Feb 2001.
[ix] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[x] See Introduction To Reiki And Published Medical Research, Database of Results http://www.
reikimedresearch.com/#107
[xi] Jennifer L. Covich, Depression and Breast Cancer: How Psychologists Can Make a Difference,
University of Texas at Austin, http://www.edb.utexas.edu/edpreview/papers/breast/breast.html
[xii] Linda J. Dressen & Sangeeta Singg, Ph.D., ISSSEEM Journal Vol. 7 No.2, Effects of Reiki on
Pain and Selected Affective and Personality Variables of Chronically Ill Patients, http://www.issseem.
org/journal.html
[xiii] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[xiv] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[xv] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[xvi] Fred Sicher, MA, Elisabeth Targ, MD*, Dan Moore II, PhD, Helene Smith, PhD, A Randomized
Double-Blind Study Of The Effect Of Distant Healing In A Population With Advanced AIDS, Western
Journal of Medicine, December 1998, Vol 169, No. 6, pp. 356-363
Author: Peter Zorzella, Founder the Ontario Reiki Programme Centre
A 45-year-old Caucasian woman whose 1st child was born when she was between 20-24 years of
age has an 8% chance of contracting breast cancer before age 90[i]. In addition to coping with the
illness itself, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have undesirable and challenging side effects, and
radical surgeries leave patients psychologically as well as physically changed. This article
examines some of the effects of breast cancer on the patient, and how Reiki can address them.
For Reiki to be applicable in breast cancer treatment requires that it address in some way the
primary symptoms. Other than healing the tumor itself (for which there is anecdotal – but not
experimental - evidence that Reiki can be helpful), the primary effects of breast cancer on a woman
are pain, the side effects of the chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and the psychological impact of the
disease and the surgery.
Breast Cancer Pain
“For women affected by breast cancer, overcoming pain can be a major part of dealing with the
disease and its treatment. Surgery can cause discomfort in the breast and underarm area,
chemotherapy can cause joint pain and mouth sores, and metastatic disease can cause pain in
other parts of the body.” [ii] - Dr. Marisa Weiss, Oncologist specializing in breast cancer, Author of
Living Beyond Breast Cancer (Random House)
Reiki has been found to be effective for dealing with pain. “We use probably 50-80 percent of
nonpharmacologic methods in our NIH pain clinic, meaning non-medication. The things we use
include massage, relaxation, hypnosis, and Reiki therapy, which is also very helpful in fibromyalgia
and chronic fatigue syndromes.” [iii] - Ann Berger, R.N., M.S.N., M.D., Medical oncologist
specializing in pain treatment, Chief of the Pain and Palliative Care Service at the National Institute
of Health in Washington, D.C.
Medical studies using sham practitioners have been carried out with Reiki, and it has been shown
to be effective for pain management. One double-blind study[iv] found that “Reiki is an effective
modality for reducing pain, depression, and anxiety”; Hartford hospital reports that Reiki provides
significant pain relief for surgery patients[v]; Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute concluded that
Reiki showed a highly significant reduction in pain in a pain management study including cancer.
In a study of Reiki for treating HIV-related pain and anxiety[vi], Pamela Miles found that newly
trained Reiki practitioners perceived reductions in pain and anxiety when they performed Reiki on
themselves or classmates. Breast cancer patients can, similarly, be taught first-level Reiki (which
only takes about a day, and has no significant age or ability barriers). Miles found no significant
differences between improvements whether oneself or a classmate did the treatments. The
argument for Level 1 Reiki training for breast cancer patients is compelling, both for pain
management and empowerment.
Chemo- and Radiotherapy Side Effects
Other than hair loss, common side effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain,
and infection due to a reduction in white blood cells known as neutropenia. Neutropenia affects as
many as one-in-three patients receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Patients can develop
fever and infections, particularly in the mouth, throat, sinuses, lungs and skin.[vii]
Reiki may be an appropriate vehicle to help address these undesirable effects. Reiki causes
significant increase in salivary Immunoglobulin A (IgA) [viii], and decreases in blood pressure and
anxiety. Immunoglobulin A protects the body’s mucosal surfaces from infections and is the main
mechanism for providing local immunity against infections in the gut and respiratory tract. This
increase in immune system function would tend to negate the effects of the therapy on the patient’s
immune system. (Author has proposed a clinical study with CHEO to attempt to demonstrate this
mechanism.)
Reiki is already used in several hospitals for cancer patients[ix]: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical
Center (Lebanon, NH), Integrative Medicine Outpatient Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center (New York, NY), Integrative Therapies Program for Children with Cancer at Columbia
Presbyterian Medical Center (New York, NY), Metropolitan South Health Center (“ Direccion de
Servicios Metropolitano Sur”, Santiago, Chile)
Used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments, Reiki is reported (anecdotally) to ease
the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, improve immune function, ease anxiety, enhance
positive emotional attitude, decrease pain, and promote relaxation[x]. Reiki can be part of an
integrated approach to managing cancer with reduced patient impact.
Psychological Effects
In “Depression and Breast Cancer, Jennifer Covitch explores the psychological effects of the
cancer on women with breast cancer: [xi]“These women have a difficult battle to fight, not only
because of their physical problems, but also as a result of developing psychological problems. …
With up to 58% of the breast cancer population developing psychological problems (Alagaratnam &
Kung, 1986; Hinton, 1972), it is incumbent upon the psychological community to increase its
awareness of the issues that women with the disease face.”
While Reiki is not a replacement for counselling and psychological support, one group[xii]
specifically found that “Reiki is an effective modality for reducing …depression, and anxiety”. A
recent review of Reiki practice in the US found that hospital “…staff, patients, and program
administrators report a number of benefits including reduced anxiety and …decreased numbers of
self-reported common gerontological complaints such as anxiety, loneliness, insomnia, and pain…”
[xiii]
Summary
Reiki therapy is safe and non-invasive. It is proving useful in hospices, nursing homes, emergency
rooms, operating rooms, organ transplantation care units, pediatric, neonatal and OB/GYN units;
facilitating relaxation and recovery and decreasing anxiety and pain[xiv]. It can be a helpful addition
to conventional therapy for HIV/AIDS and cancer patients[xv], [xvi]. Reiki provides the patient tools
to deal with the effects on body, mind, and spirit of the cancer, the therapies, surgery, and the
state of their bodies upon recovery. That it can be learned by anyone and that it is useful
immediately upon learning to address the secondary (non-tumor) symptoms, make a compelling
argument for teaching Reiki to every woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer.
______________________________________________________________________________
NOTE:
This material may be used to promote Reiki and Reiki programmes in health care centres so long
as the material is used intact and includes the copyright and attribution.
Reiki is a complement to treatment by a physician. It does not provide services in lieu of a doctor,
nor is it a medical diagnostic tool. However, there is a growing body of opinion that integrative
medicine that takes advantage of all parts of the care spectrum as appropriate is more effective
(and cost-effective) than allopathic treatment alone.
Author: Peter Zorzella, founded the Ontario Reiki Programme Centre to make healing through Reiki
available to everyone who could benefit from it.
REFERENCES:
[i] Detailed Breast Cancer Risk Calculator http://www.halls.md/breast/risk.htm
[ii] Dr. Marisa Weiss, Oncologist specializing in breast cancer, Author of Living Beyond Breast
Cancer (Random House), http://www.breastcancer.org/cmty_trans_2002_4_18.html
[iii] Ann Berger, R.N., M.S.N., M.D., Medical oncologist specializing in pain treatment. Chief of the
Pain and Palliative Care Service at the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C. http://www.
breastcancer.org/cmty_trans_2002_4_18.html
[iv] Linda J. Dressen & Sangeeta Singg, Ph.D., ISSSEEM Journal Vol. 9 No.1, Effects of Reiki on
Pain and Selected Affective and Personality Variables of Chronically Ill Patients, http://www.issseem.
org/journal.html
[v] http://www.harthosp.org/nursing/professionals/pdf/Newsletter-06-2001.pdf
[vi] P.Miles, Preliminary Report on the use of Reiki for HIV-related pain and Anxiety, Alternative
Therapies, Mar/APR 2003, Vol 9, No2, pp 36,
http://www.pamelamilesreiki.com/pdf/research_letter.pdf
[vii] Aretmis Article, Johns Hopkins Medical Centre,
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/breastcenter/artemis/200104/feature10.html
[viii] Wardell DW, Engebretson J., Biological correlates of Reiki Touch (sm) Healing. Journal of
Advanced Nursing 33 (4): 439-45. Feb 2001.
[ix] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[x] See Introduction To Reiki And Published Medical Research, Database of Results http://www.
reikimedresearch.com/#107
[xi] Jennifer L. Covich, Depression and Breast Cancer: How Psychologists Can Make a Difference,
University of Texas at Austin, http://www.edb.utexas.edu/edpreview/papers/breast/breast.html
[xii] Linda J. Dressen & Sangeeta Singg, Ph.D., ISSSEEM Journal Vol. 7 No.2, Effects of Reiki on
Pain and Selected Affective and Personality Variables of Chronically Ill Patients, http://www.issseem.
org/journal.html
[xiii] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[xiv] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[xv] P. Miles, G. True, Reiki – Review of a Biofield Therapy. History, Theory, Practice, and
Research, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 9, No 2, pp. 62-71 (2003) http://www.
alternative-therapies.com/at/pdfarticles/0103reiki.pdf
[xvi] Fred Sicher, MA, Elisabeth Targ, MD*, Dan Moore II, PhD, Helene Smith, PhD, A Randomized
Double-Blind Study Of The Effect Of Distant Healing In A Population With Advanced AIDS, Western
Journal of Medicine, December 1998, Vol 169, No. 6, pp. 356-363