Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the stomach, the organ that is located between the esophagus and the small intestine. The stomach helps our bodies digest food by mixing it with stomach acid. Researchers do not know the exact cause of stomach cancer, but certain risk factors, like a family history or being born male, may increase your odds of developing the condition. About two-thirds of people diagnosed with stomach cancer are over age 65.¹

Stomach cancer symptoms can vary and may include indigestion and stomach pain. Most people with stomach cancer only experience mild symptoms in the early stages. Stomach cancer is usually not diagnosed until later stages when it is more difficult to treat.² Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In the United States, there are about 26,500 new cases of stomach cancer each year.³

Types

There are different types of stomach cancer, and they can develop in different areas of the stomach. The most common type is adenocarcinoma, making up about 90% to 95% of all stomach cancer cases. This type of cancer starts in the mucosa, the innermost lining of the stomach.⁴

There are two types of adenocarcinomas in the stomach: intestinal adenocarcinoma and diffuse adenocarcinoma. Intestinal adenocarcinoma usually has a better prognosis because the cancer cells have certain mutations that make them easier to treat with targeted therapy. Diffuse adenocarcinoma tends to spread more quickly and is more difficult to treat.⁴

Other types of stomach cancer include:⁴

• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): GISTs are tumors that can develop anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. They are most common in the stomach.
• Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs): NETs are tumors that behave like both nerve cells and endocrine (hormone-producing) cells. They tend to grow slowly.
• Lymphomas: Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the immune cells (lymphocytes). Because lymphocytes line the digestive tract, lymphomas can develop in the stomach. 

Stomach Cancer Symptoms 

Symptoms of stomach cancer tend to be mild in the early stages, and they are often mistaken for other conditions. As cancer spreads and becomes more advanced, more symptoms occur.

Early-stage stomach cancer may cause no symptoms or indigestion and abdominal discomfort. As cancer progresses, late-stage symptoms may include:¹⁵

• Blood in the stool (poop)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heartburn
• Feeling very full after eating a small amount
• Poor appetite 
• Unintended weight loss
• Jaundice (when an excess amount of bilirubin from the blood dissolves into your body fat)
• Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Fatigue
• Weakness 

Many of these symptoms may seem like they are related to acid reflux or a stomach ulcer. If you develop any symptoms of stomach cancer, see your healthcare provider.

What Causes Stomach Cancer? 

Stomach cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the stomach mutate and begin to grow and spread. Researchers do not know the exact cause of stomach cancer, and research is ongoing. 

There is strong evidence that stomach cancer is associated with infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (commonly called H. pylori). These bacteria live in the digestive tract and may turn some of the substances in food into chemicals that lead to DNA mutations. These mutations may lead to precancerous conditions in the stomach.⁶

There are pre-cancerous changes that may occur in the stomach lining and lead to stomach cancer, including:⁶

• Atrophic gastritis: Occurs when there is a lack of gland cells in the stomach; usually caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori
• Intestinal metaplasia: Happens when the cells in the stomach lining are replaced with cells that look like those that line the intestine; may be related to Helicobacter pylori infection
• Dysplasia: Occurs when there is damage to the DNA of the cells and causes the cells to grow larger than normal; the cells also change their shape 

Risk Factors 

There are several known risk factors for stomach cancer. Some of the risk factors, like smoking and diet choices, can be changed. However, many of the risk factors like age and family history cannot be changed.

Known risk factors for stomach cancer include:⁷

• Age over 65
• Male sex 
• History of an H. pylori infection
• History of stomach inflammation
• A diet rich in salted, smoked, or pickled foods
• Smoking 
• An excess of visceral adipose tissue, which is body fat that directly surrounds the organs⁸
• Excessive alcohol consumption 
• History of stomach surgery
• Stomach polyps (excess tissue growth in the stomach)
• Pernicious anemia which is an autoimmune condition that causes larger-than-normal red blood cells that inhibit oxygen transport throughout your body
• History of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common, contagious herpes virus
• Family history of stomach cancer 

Inherited gene mutations may also raise the risk of stomach cancer. People with the following genetic conditions may have an increased risk:⁷

• Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC)
• Lynch syndrome 
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
• Gastric adenoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS)
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)

Diagnosis

Because stomach cancer does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages, it is often diagnosed in the later stages.⁹ If you have developed any prolonged symptoms of stomach cancer, your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam to look for any signs of cancer. They will also conduct a thorough medical history to ask about your risk factors and symptoms. 

Tests used to diagnose stomach cancer include:¹⁰

• Blood test: A complete blood count (CBC) may be drawn to look for anemia (low red blood cell count). This could indicate bleeding in the stomach.
• Upper endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera at the end is passed down the throat to inspect the inner lining of the esophagus and the stomach.
• Biopsy: During an upper endoscopy, your healthcare provider may remove small samples from any abnormal areas of the stomach. These samples are then sent to a lab for testing. 
• HER2 testing: During a biopsy, cells may be checked for HER2, a growth-promoting protein that may be present in cancer cells. Other gene or protein tests may be used as well. 
• Laparoscopy: A laparoscopy may be used to confirm if the cancer is only in the stomach and has not spread. This test is often used before surgery.

Imaging tests used to diagnose stomach cancer include:¹¹

• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series: X-ray to inspect the inner lining of the esophagus, stomach, and part of the small intestine to look for abnormal areas
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: Provides detailed images of the stomach and can detect if cancer has spread to nearby organs like the liver
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Used to determine how far cancer has spread through the wall of the stomach or nearby lymph nodes
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: Detects where cancer cells have spread
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Not commonly used but may show detailed pictures of tumors in the liver
• Chest X-ray: Detects if cancer has spread to the lungs

Regular screening for stomach cancer is usually not recommended in the United States. This is because, due to the relatively low incidence of stomach cancer, the risks of screening generally outweigh the benefits.¹¹

Treatments for Stomach Cancer  

There are several treatment options for stomach cancer. When caught early, the goal of treatment is to reach remission (a vast reduction or elimination of cancer cells in your body). If stomach cancer is diagnosed in the later stages, the goal of treatment may be to relieve symptoms such as pain or trouble eating. 

Treatment options for stomach cancer include:¹²

• Surgery: Surgery is a common treatment for stomach cancer, especially if the cancer has not spread to other areas of the body. Surgery may be performed to remove cancer cells and part of the stomach. It may also be used to relieve pain.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumor size, after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells, or as the primary treatment for stomach cancer.
• Radiation therapy: Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery. If surgery is not an option, radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumor.
• Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy targets certain proteins, such as HER2, in cancer cells. It may be used alone or with chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses medication to boost the body’s immune response to fight cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that help the body attack cancer cells while ignoring healthy cells. 

Prevention

It is often not possible to prevent stomach cancer, but there are steps that you can take to lower your risk. Tips to lower your odds of developing stomach cancer include:¹³¹⁴

• Nutrition: A diet rich in processed or pickled foods may raise the risk of stomach cancer. Focus on fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats. Try to avoid red or processed meat and sugary beverages.
• Physical activity: Daily exercise lowers the risk of stomach cancer. It may lower the risk of other types of cancer as well.
• Limiting alcohol consumption: Avoiding or limiting alcohol may lower the risk of several types of cancer, including stomach cancer. 
• Avoid tobacco: Smoking increases the risk of stomach cancer, especially in the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus. Work with your healthcare provider to quit if needed.
• H. pylori Treatment: Infection with H. pylori is a known risk factor for stomach cancer. These bacteria can be treated successfully with antibiotics

Comorbid Conditions   

Comorbid conditions refer to conditions that you may develop when you have stomach cancer. People with stomach cancer may be more likely to develop the following conditions:¹⁵¹⁶

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Chronic viral hepatitis 
• Liver cirrhosis
• Lung (pulmonary) disease
• Heart (cardiac) disease 

A 2018 study found that people with pulmonary disease had a significantly higher risk of experiencing complications after stomach cancer surgery than those without lung disease.¹⁶

Living With Stomach Cancer  

Going through the diagnostic process and treatment of stomach cancer can be an overwhelming and grueling experience. Once you have finished your treatment protocol, you may continue to experience symptoms and complications. It will be important to continue to work closely with your healthcare team, including your oncologist (a medical doctor who specializes in cancer).

People who have gone through treatment for stomach cancer may experience “dumping syndrome.” Dumping syndrome refers to the symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and flushing after eating. It happens when food passes quickly through the digestive tract. This may be a result of having part of the stomach removed with surgery.¹⁷ Your healthcare provider and dietitian can help to develop a treatment plan for dumping syndrome.

If you have a feeding tube (jejunostomy tube, or J-tube) in the small intestine following treatment, continue to work with your nutrition team. A J-tube is used to provide liquid nutrition to prevent too much weight loss and to give needed nutrients.¹⁷

Other tips for living with stomach cancer include:¹⁷

• Follow-up care: Continue to participate in regular medical care to monitor for any signs of cancer and to address any medication side effects. Once treatment is finished, your healthcare team will likely recommend appointments every 3 to 6 months for a physical exam and any necessary tests.
• Nutrition care: Stomach cancer and its treatment may affect how you eat and absorb food. Nausea is a common side effect. Work with a dietitian to ensure you consume enough nutrients, and consider eating small, frequent meals instead of large ones. 
• Healthy lifestyle: To lower your risk of developing cancer in the future, eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, stay in a healthy weight range, get regular exercise, and avoid alcohol and tobacco.

SOURCES

1. MedlinePlus. Stomach cancer.
2. American Cancer Society. Stomach cancer.
3. American Cancer Society. Stomach (gastric) cancer key statistics.
4. American Cancer Society. What is stomach cancer?.
5. American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of stomach cancer.
6. American Cancer Society. Causes of stomach cancer.
7. American Cancer Society. What are the risk factors for stomach cancer?.
8. Karczewski J, Begier-Krasińska B, Staszewski R, Popławska E, Gulczynska-Elhadi K, Dobrowolska A. Obesity and the Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers. Dig Dis Sci. 2019;64(10):2740-2749. doi:10.1007/s10620-019-05603-9
9. American Cancer Society. Stomach (gastric) cancer stages.
10. American Cancer Society. Tests for stomach cancer.
11. American Cancer Society. How to detect stomach cancer early.
12. American Cancer Society. Stomach cancer treatment.
13. National Cancer Institute. Stomach (gastric) cancer prevention.
14. American Cancer Society. Preventing stomach cancer.
15. Morishima T, Matsumoto Y, Koeda N, et al. Impact of comorbidities on survival in gastric, colorectal, and lung cancer patients. J Epidemiol. 2019;29(3):110-115. doi:10.2188/jea.JE20170241
16. Jeong O, Jung MR, Ryu SY. Impact of various types of comorbidities on the outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy in patients with gastric carcinoma. J Gastric Cancer. 2018;18(3):253-263. doi:10.5230/jgc.2018.18.e27
17. American Cancer Society. Living as a stomach cancer survivor.

A cancer diagnosis can have a significant impact on the emotional health of you, your family, and your support system. You may experience fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, and feelings of being overwhelmed. It’s completely normal to feel a wide range of emotions when facing a cancer diagnosis.

There are over 100 types of cancer, and an estimated 1.9 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year.¹ Breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancers account for nearly 50% of these cases.²

When you are living with cancer, it's important to prioritize your emotional and physical health. Studies suggest that addressing the mental health concerns that people with cancer experience may lead to improved treatment outcomes and a better quality of life.³

This article discusses the five emotional stages of cancer, how to cope, and how to help a loved one.

Common Reactions

You may feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster after getting a cancer diagnosis. The range of emotions you feel can change daily, or even hourly.  

Cancer Is an Emotional Experience

Though no two people will share the exact same emotions when facing cancer, common reactions to a cancer diagnosis include:⁴

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Disbelief
• Fear
• Guilt
• Hope
• Loneliness 
• Overwhelmed feelings
• Sadness
• Stress
• Worry 

Emotional Stages

Intense, varied emotions are common in people living with cancer—not just at the time of diagnosis, but at any point in your cancer treatment. You may grieve the loss of your good health, struggle with changes to your appearance, feel guilt over the impact your diagnosis has on your family, and worry about the future. 

Developed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in 1969, the five stages of grief—commonly known as DABDA, which stands for "denial," "anger," "bargaining," "depression," and "acceptance"—may reflect the emotions you feel as you navigate your cancer journey.⁵ The DABDA model is a good tool to describe the emotional responses of people when they’re facing a life-changing illness or situation. 

Although these stages are widely believed to happen in a linear fashion, these emotions can occur at any time, in any order, after a cancer diagnosis.  

Denial

Getting a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience. This experience may trigger feelings of disbelief, numbness, or shock. You may want to avoid thinking about it or pretend it isn’t happening. Denial is a common response to life-changing events and is a normal emotion for people with cancer.⁶ Denial will fade over time, and you will begin to experience other emotions concerning your diagnosis. 

Anger 

Anger is a natural emotional response to perceived threats. Though often not seen in a positive light, anger can be a good thing. When it comes to a cancer diagnosis, anger can be a vital part of the emotional process. It gives you a way to express your difficult emotions, like anxiety, fear, frustration, and helplessness. 

It’s important to allow yourself to feel and express your anger in a healthy way rather than holding it all in. You may find it beneficial to talk about your anger with a trusted family member or friend (without taking it out on them), punch pillows, yell out loud in your car, write in a journal, or do a physical activity (e.g., dancing) to help you process your emotions.⁷

Bargaining 

In the bargaining stage, you may feel like your diagnosis is unfair and want to do anything to “fix” it and return to life pre-diagnosis.⁸ You may bargain with yourself or a higher power as a way of finding some control over the situation, and think things like, “If I get through this, I will never complain about anything again.” If your loved one has cancer, you may think, “If she survives this cancer, I will never again be angry at her.” 

Bargaining and guilt often go hand in hand, and you may find yourself going through countless what-if scenarios, such as: What if I'd never smoked in my 20s? What if I'd never eaten junk food? What if I'd gone to the doctor six months earlier?

If you find yourself in an endless loop of bargaining, it may be helpful to talk through your emotions with a counselor or with peers in a cancer support group.

Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition that involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, and low energy. Depression can lead to changes in your sleeping and eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, and low self-worth.⁹

Depression affects up to 1 in 4 people with cancer.¹⁰ Talk to your healthcare provider if these feelings persist for more than two weeks. They may recommend treatment to help manage your depression such as medication and/or counseling. Studies show that people with cancer who get treated for depression respond better to cancer treatments and have a higher quality of life.¹¹

Acceptance 

Once you’ve given yourself the space to grieve and feel the emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis, it becomes easier to face your new reality head-on. This doesn’t mean you leave behind any difficult feelings or grief—rather, you learn to accept and find meaning in your current journey.

With acceptance comes hope. And there are plenty of reasons to feel hopeful—millions of people are cancer survivors.¹² While there’s no evidence to suggest that a positive attitude can improve cancer treatment outcomes, there are still benefits to staying hopeful. A hopeful mindset is associated with stress reduction, lower blood pressure, and improved relationships.¹³

Cancer Prognosis

A cancer prognosis is your healthcare provider’s best estimate of how your cancer will respond to treatment, how it will affect you, and what your chances of survival are. The type you have and the stage of cancer you're in, where the cancer is located in your body, your age, and how healthy you were before diagnosis all play a role in your prognosis.¹⁴

It's important to remember that a prognosis is your cancer specialist's (oncologist) best guess and is not written in stone.

Mental Health Side Effects

A cancer diagnosis can affect the mental health and well-being of people with cancer, their families, and caregivers.

Depression

Many people with cancer experience significant sadness and grieve the life they had before diagnosis. You may feel tired, have a reduced appetite, and find it difficult to get through your daily routine. This is normal, and it may take time for you to work through your feelings and accept your new way of life. Some cancer treatments may change your brain chemistry and increase the likelihood of depression.⁴

Getting support from family members and friends or joining a cancer support group may help you process your emotions. If your feelings of depression persist, ask your healthcare provider about your options for treating depression. This may include medication and counseling.

Anxiety

Up to 45% of adults with cancer experience anxiety.¹⁵ Anxiety is feeling worried, afraid, tense, and/or unable to relax. Physical symptoms include a rapid heart rate, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness, headaches, muscle pain, tightness in your chest, or changes in your sleep patterns.⁴

It’s completely normal to feel anxious when you or your loved one is facing cancer. If you’re feeling anxious, it’s important to recognize this feeling and take the steps needed to manage how you feel. 

Studies show that mindfulness-based activities (e.g., meditation, breathwork) are associated with a reduction of anxiety and depression in adults with cancer.¹⁶ Your doctor may suggest antianxiety medications and/or talk therapy to help manage anxiety.

How to Cope

Coping with cancer and the associated emotional toll is important. Though people cope with their emotions in different ways, you may find these strategies for coping helpful:¹⁷

• Recognize and be honest about what you’re feeling.
• Talk about your feelings with a trusted loved one.
• Seek out community, such as a cancer support group. 
• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Engage in physical activity (e.g., walking, swimming).
• Try relaxation techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, or yoga 
• Write your feelings down in a journal.
• Look for positive experiences—whether that’s with a beloved pet, friends, or a solo activity that brings joy.
• Talk to your healthcare providers if your feelings of depression and/or anxiety persist.

How to Help

If your family member or friend has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be wondering what you can do to help. Here are some ideas on how to support a loved one with cancer:¹⁸

• Listen: Ask how they’re feeling and provide a listening ear.
• Offer to help: Whether you cook meals, do their laundry, or provide transportation to their appointments, helping with day-to-day tasks is often appreciated.
• Treat them the same: Your loved one is the same person they were before the diagnosis, and treating them as you have in the past is a way to provide normalcy. 
• Give them a cancer break: People with cancer often need a break from talking about all things cancer-related. Share interesting stories, some laughs, or sit down for a cozy movie night together. 
• Learn about cancer: Taking the initiative to learn about your loved one’s cancer type and treatments is a way to show you care.
• Show up: Stay consistent with your relationship—call, text, or take time for visits to let them know you’re a reliable friend. 

Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you are a caregiver, be sure to carve out time for self-care—being there for a loved one with cancer can take an emotional and physical toll on caregivers, too. Taking care of your own needs can give you the strength you need to continue providing support.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your emotions are affecting your day-to-day life or lasting a long time, your cancer care team can help. Ask your healthcare team for mental health support. Your oncologist may refer you to a counselor who can help you learn how to cope with your diagnosis.¹⁹ They may also prescribe medication, such as an antidepressant or antianxiety medications. 

Summary

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is an emotionally overwhelming experience that can lead you to experience feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance. However, the journey is not linear, and not everyone experiences each of these emotions.

That said, receiving a cancer diagnosis or learning your loved one has cancer can contribute to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness. It's normal and okay to feel sad, but if you or a loved one is experiencing these emotions for an extended period of time and/or are having trouble coping, it doesn't hurt to ask for help.

A Word From Verywell

Coping with a cancer diagnosis—whether it is your own or a loved one’s—can take a psychological toll. Give yourself the space to acknowledge and express all of your feelings openly and honestly. 

If you feel your emotional health is negatively affecting your daily life, talk to your healthcare provider. There is no shame in asking for help—even the strongest, most resilient people need support. Asking for mental health support is one of the best things you can do for yourself as you navigate your cancer journey. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cancer curable?

Whether cancer can be cured depends on the type and stage of cancer, how a person responds to treatment, and other factors. A cure means that cancer has gone away with treatment and will never come back. Remission is when cancer has responded to treatment and all signs and symptoms have gone away. If a person remains in remission for five or more years, they may say they are cured.²⁰

How many stages of cancer are there?

Most types of cancer have four stages: stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4 (sometimes written in Roman numerals as I, II, III, and IV).²¹ Some cancers have stage 0. Staging is a way to indicate cancer’s location, size, and whether or not it has spread (metastasized) either locally or farther from the original site. Staging helps doctors determine the best treatment plan (e.g., chemotherapy, surgery). 

SOURCES

1. National Cancer Institute. What is cancer?
2. National Cancer Institute. Cancer stat facts: common cancer sites.
3. Mental Health America. Cancer and mental health.
4. National Cancer Institute. Cancer and feelings.
5. Stroebe M, Schut H, Boerner K. Cautioning healthcare professionals. Omega (Westport). 2017;74(4):455-473. doi:10.1177/0030222817691870
6. Conley CC, Bishop BT, Andersen BL. Emotions and emotion regulation in breast cancer survivorship. Healthcare (Basel). 2016;4(3):56. doi:10.3390/healthcare4030056
7. American Society for Clinical Oncology. Coping with anger.
8. Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Emotional stages of a breast cancer diagnosis.
9. National Institute of Mental Health. Major depression.
10. American Cancer Society. Depression.
11. Smith HR. Depression in cancer patients: Pathogenesis, implications and treatment (review). Oncol Lett. 2015;9(4):1509-1514. doi:10.3892/ol.2015.2944
12.  National Cancer Institute. Cancer and feelings.
13. Conley CC, Bishop BT, Andersen BL. Emotions and emotion regulation in breast cancer survivorship. Healthcare (Basel). 2016;4(3):56. doi:10.3390/healthcare4030056
14. National Cancer Institute. Understanding cancer prognosis.
15.  National Behavioral Health Network. Mental health impacts of a cancer diagnosis.
16. Zhang MF, Wen YS, Liu WY, Peng LF, Wu XD, Liu QW. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy for reducing anxiety and depression in patients with cancer: a meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015;94(45):e0897. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000897
17. Canadian Cancer Society. Coping with emotions.
18. CancerCare. What can I say to a newly diagnosed loved one?
19. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Counseling.
20. American Cancer Society. Can cancer be cured?
21. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Stages of cancer.

Meditation may have several benefits for people living with cancer, and many cancer centers are now offering this “alternative” treatment. Possible benefits include a reduction in anxiety and depression, reduced stress, greater energy, and a decrease in chronic pain among other symptoms. At the same time, there are very few risks. An unlike many complementary treatments used to control the symptoms of cancer, anyone can begin at any time.

What is meditation?

Meditation is most easily defined as a practice of finding a place to sit quietly, clearing your mind of past struggles and future worries, and focusing on the present. In mindfulness meditation, the goal is to quiet your mind and be present at the moment without intruding thoughts. Meditation may include focusing on a sensation, such as your breathing, and simply observing that sensation without judging or analyzing. Some people recite a verse or repeat a mantra, while others let their mind go blank to achieve a meditative state.

Most often, meditation is done while sitting quietly, but may also be done with light activity (for example, walking meditation). Meditation may be self-directed or guided.

Benefits

Meditation has many benefits for general health and well-being. It has been found to decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, ease muscle tension, and improve mood. Emotionally, the practice of meditation has helped many people restore a feeling of calm by centering their thoughts and closing their minds to fears about the future and regrets about the past. But meditation may also have specific benefits for people who are living with cancer. Some of these include:

Depression and anxiety

One study found a decrease in symptoms of depression for people with cancer after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. And unlike some alternative treatments that only have short-term benefits for cancer patients, these effects were still present three months later.

Stress

Several studies have found meditation to significantly improve the perception of stress in people coping with cancer. This benefit may go beyond the subjective feeling of well-being when stress is reduced, and contribute to a healthier immune system as well. Stress hormones — chemicals that are released in our bodies when we experience stress — may play a role in how well someone responds to cancer treatment, and even affect survival. One study found that meditation decreased the levels of stress hormones in people with breast and prostate cancer and that the effects were still present a year later. Meditation may also lower the levels of Th1 cytokines, which are inflammatory factors produced by the body that may affect how we respond to cancer and our healing from cancer.

Chronic pain

Chronic pain is a common and very frustrating symptom among people with cancer. The cause may be due to cancer itself, due to treatments for cancer, or secondary to other causes. Whatever the cause, it’s estimated that roughly 90% of people with lung cancer experience some degree of pain. Meditation appears to help with this pain and may lessen the number of pain medications needed to control pain.

Sleep problems

Difficulty with sleep is a common problem for people living with cancer. In studies, meditation is associated with less insomnia and improved quality of sleep.

Cognitive functioning

Difficulty with cognitive functioning is common and may be due to cancer itself or treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy (chemobrain). At least one study has found meditation to improve cognitive functioning with cancer.

Fatigue

Cancer fatigue is one of the most annoying symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment. Studies suggest that meditation may improve energy levels and lessen fatigue for people living with cancer.

Cautions

In general, meditation is a very safe practice for people living with cancer. That said, some people may feel anxious, and others may become disoriented as they meditate. It's important to note that this is for people who are using meditation as a complementary or integrative treatment along with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and more. At the current time there is no evidence that meditation or any other therapy can treat cancer itself, and using these therapies to the exclusion of traditional treatments has been linked to a much higher risk of death for people with cancer.

How to get started

Several large cancer centers now offer classes in meditation to help get you started. If not, ask your oncologist if she knows of any classes or practitioners in your area who could assist you in beginning meditation. Fortunately, meditation is something that you may learn and practice at home. Methods for beginning meditation, as well as videos that can assist in meditation (such as guided imagery), are available for free online 24 hours a day.

A word from Verywell

Some psychologists and physicians argue that nearly anyone could benefit from meditation, and that certainly holds for most people with cancer. Meditation is something simple you can do on your own that doesn't have to take a large chunk of time out of your day. Perhaps living with cancer will give many people the incentive to try this method of reducing the stress that could benefit people in areas of life that reach far beyond cancer.