Breast Cancer and Reiki

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006,Dr. Mansour will study "the effects of Reiki on the
about 212,900 women in the U.S. will learn they havelevel of anxiety, physical problems, spiritual well-being,
invasive breast cancer. American women have a 1 inand complete blood counts in patients undergoing
8 chance of developing this type of cancer at sometheir initial AC (chemotherapy)."[v] The June 1997
point in their lives, and roughly 2 million have alreadyissue of Cancer Prevention Control shared preliminary
been treated for the disease. Thankfully, death ratesresults from a controlled study at the Cross Cancer
from breast cancer have dropped dramatically. EarlyInstitute in Edmonton, Canada. Twenty volunteers
detection as well as advances in chemotherapy andwith chronic pain, including pain from cancer, received
other treatments mean that each year yields moreReiki treatments from a certified Reiki Level 2
and more breast cancer survivors.[i]practitioner. Study supervisors used both a visual
As with any cancer, traditional treatments for breastanalog scale (VAS) and a Likert scale to measure pain
cancer can cause their own array of healthbefore and after Reiki. The study found that
challenges. Nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and low bloodreceiving Reiki greatly improved pain levels.[vi]
cell counts often follow chemotherapy and radiation.Across the United States, hospitals and hospices
In a recent study published in The Journal of thehave begun to value Reiki. In 1997, Nancy Samson,
National Cancer Institute, Dr. Michael Hassett ofRN, BS, began coordinating a volunteer Reiki program
Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that 16in the radiation oncology ward at Dartmouth
% of breast cancer patients under age 64 required aHitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. Today,
hospital visit to manage chemotherapy side effects.[ii]the center hosts Reiki Certification Classes and
Chemotherapy targets all rapidly growing cells,advertises 50% reimbursement of class cost for
including white blood cells (known as neutrophils),DHMC employees. [vii] The esteemed California Pacific
which support the immune system. Neutropenia,Medical Center's Health and Healing Clinic offers Reiki,
meaning white blood cell counts have dropped belowalong with acupressure, nutritional therapy and yoga.
normal levels, lowers immune response to invaders[viii] Hospices increasingly offer Reiki to patients as a
like bacteria, viruses and fungi.[iii] Consequently, themeans of easing pain and reducing anxiety about the
most common and serious reason for theunknown.
post-chemo hospital visits was high fever fromArizona hosts one of the longest relationships
infections. Anemia-resulting from low red blood cellbetween Reiki and traditional cancer treatment. Sally
count-poses additional struggles in the form ofSoderlund, RN (Support Services Coordinator for
extreme fatigue.Oncology) directs the Tucson Medical Center (TMC)
Anti-nausea drugs, blood transfusions and lab-madeReiki Clinic. The Reiki program at TMC began over 11
white blood cell "boosters" now form part of ayears ago in the Cancer Care Unit. It has since
growing arsenal of coping strategies.[iv] But forbranched out to other areas of the hospital as well.
women who feel conflicted about taking drugs in theReiki practitioners at TMC usually describe Reiki as
first place, these solutions can seem too toxic or"healing energy" and work together in two person
even add additional complaints. The neurtophilteams. They emphasize the relaxing and healing
enhancers, for example, cause temporary bone painqualities of Reiki, rather than delving into metaphysics.
as the marrow rapidly produces more cells. LeighAlthough some patients report spiritual experiences
Leming, 54, a breast cancer survivor whose cancerduring Reiki sessions, volunteers explain that Reiki is a
later returned and metasticized, decided that thishealing system, not a religion. The TMC clinic's
time she wanted to try something different. Unablesuccess continues due to patient requests for repeat
to eat due to nausea, she now follows the advice ofsessions as well as nurse reports of improved patient
an Ayurvedic chef. She drinks a shot of ginger, lemonmood and healing rate.[ix]
juice, and honey before each meal. "It's the only thingThe American Cancer Society regards Reiki as a
that keeps my food down," Leming explains. She also"safe" complementary cancer therapy. Their website
takes wheat grass juice to build up her blood counts,acknowledges patients' subjective reports of Reiki's
because 2 ounces of wheat grass juice containability to speed healing and increase their sense of
nutrients equivalent to 4 pounds of organic produce:well-being. Like massage, Reiki induces relaxation,
"The difference in my energy levels is amazing!"lowers heart rate and reduces stress levels. Studies
A patient at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem,indicate that people heal better if they can remain in
Pennsylvania, Leming noticed fliers offering Reikia low stress state. Because massage actually
sessions there. Reiki (pronounced "RAY-key") is anmanipulates tissue, though, the American Cancer
ancient healing energy system rediscovered in theSociety recommends avoiding areas near tumors until
late nineteenth century by a Japanese monk namedresearch shows if tissue manipulation can spread
Dr. Mikao Usui. The "Rei" stands for "universal," andcancer cells to other parts of the body.[x] Unlike
the "ki" refers to "life force energy" similar to "Chi" inmassage, Reiki involves a light touch or no touch at
Chinese healing or "prana" in yoga. Thus, Reiki meansall: there is no tissue manipulation. Recipients remain
"universal life force energy," which works on allclothed while energy flows above and into their body.
levels-physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. ByFor people with multiple tumor sites, Reiki offers a
influencing all these levels, Reiki is believed gently butchance to tap into the healing power of relaxation
dramatically to amplify people's innate abilities to healwithout any contraindications.
themselves. One can perform Reiki with hands on or[i] American Cancer Society: Caner Reference
above the body, and even across great distances.Information. cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content
Most people notice it as heat, tingling or a feeling of_5.asp?sitearea=
deep love and support.[ii] About Health and Fitness: breastcancer.about.com/
Leming's friends at St. Luke's Wellness Center[iii] "How Cancer Can Put You at Risk of Serious
explained that they receive Reiki sessions prior toInfection." Healthmonitor: July-August 2006, p. S3.
chemotherapy in order to offset some of their[iv] "Take Care of Yourself." Healthmonitor:
post-chemo reactions. Other patients noticedJuly-August 2006, p. S4.
dramatic improvement in pain levels following Reiki[v] Source: Office of Communications, University of
treatments. After experiencing some of this painSaskatchewan, Canada, usask.ca/communications/ocn
relief herself-"I actually forget to take my pain pillsApr24/news8.html.
after a Reiki session"-Leming gathered a group of[vi] Source: Olson K, Hanson J, 1997. "Using Reiki to
patients and survivors to learn how to treatmanage pain: a preliminary report." Cancer Prevention
themselves with Reiki. Having received anControl 1997, June, Vol.1(2): pages 108-13.
attunement (opening of the body's natural energy[vii] Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Classes and
paths) from a Reiki Master Teacher, they can nowEvents. dhmc.org/dhmc
feel Reiki flowing through their own hands. Although1&sec_id=3&gsec_id=3&item_id=3
her pain returns, Leming reports a greater sense of[viii] CPMC Institute for Health and Healing. cpmc.org
calmness and peace when dealing with pain, as wellservices/ihh/professionals/overview.html
as other cancer stressors like finances and family[ix] Rand, William Lee. "Reiki in Hospitals." Reiki News
relationships.Articles: The International Center for Reiki Training.
No formal U.S. studies have proven Reiki'sreiki.org/reikinews/reiki_in_hospitals.html
effectiveness in treating cancer; however, The[x] American Cancer Society. "Reiki" and "Massage."
Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative recentlycancer.org/docroot/eto/content
awarded a $20,000 grant to Dr. Ahlam Mansour ofeto_5_3x_massage.asp?
the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan.