Hypnosis Reduces Pain of Breast Cancer Surgery
Saturday September 8, 2007
Researchers in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that 15 minutes of hypnosis given before surgery for breast cancer can reduce pain, nausea, fatigue, discomfort and emotional upset. In addition to those benefits, the 200 patients studied needed less anesthesia, recovered more quickly, and found that costs saved on the procedures added up to $770 per patient. The study was done at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. The researchers said, "This could become part of standard care."
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Breast cancer surgery patients often suffer side effects such as pain, nausea, and fatigue during and after their operation. These complications can lengthen their hospital stay, lead to hospital readmission, or require additional medications—all of which increase medical costs. Several previous studies have suggested that hypnosis may reduce pain, recovery time, and the need for medications after surgery