In the film Manhattan, the character played by Woody Allen, a perfect Type C personality, confesses that he never shows his anger, just "grows a tumor", reflecting the popular idea that cancer patients are emotionally inhibited. The development and progression of cancer has been associated with a Type C personality.
If a particular set of psychological factors can promote the onset of cancer, it is reasonable to assume that changing these will have a beneficial effect, both in retarding the progression of the disease and its cure. The use of psychotherapy, hypnosis, meditation, imagery as aids in altering the personality, which in turn bolsters the immune function, is how well-documented.
It is a little known fact that cancer cells develop in most, if not all, individuals some time during their life. In a healthy individual, the immune system normally destroys these cells before they can do harm. Psychological techniques can be used to destroy cancer cells after the disease has developed. As far back as 1989, Dr Spiegal and colleagues reported in Lancet how women with advanced breast cancer who had experienced group psychotherapy for a year, in addition to the regular treatment, showed much better chances of survival than those who did not. This is clear evidence that the immune system can be influenced by changing the way an individual thinks.
So the question to consider is: What can I do to remain healthy or heal myself?
Whose life is it anyway? Begin by taking responsibility for your state of health or disease. Actively involve yourself in maintaining your health. If you are ill, involve yourself in the process of getting well. Do not leave it all to doctors. The importance of this is now reflected in the fact that all the major heart and cancer institutes worldwide teach patients how to effect changes in their life style.
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