-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
reproductive system
breast cancer
Psychospiritual Approaches
metaphors and correlations
see also:
cancer patients: personality characteristics
cancer correlations: psychoneuroimmunology
Breasts represent mothering and nurturing. (Hay, 1984, p. 157)
Associated with heart chakra; inability to nurture which results in guilt feelings and self-hate; fear and identity crises at closure of natural cycle of motherhood when children leave the home; giving continually to others but unable to love or nurture herself; resentment at not receiving love from others; emptiness of life of being alone, unloved and uncared for. (Shealy, p. 180)
Family History: adolescent experiences and shaping of sexual attitudes - Mothers who developed a strong grasp of their own identity provided their daughters with a vigorous and provocative role model. This was in contrast to daughters of resigned mothers, who exhibit ambivalence and avoidance of success. The effective modeling and identification with the same sex parent depends on the quality of the relationship with that parent. If mothers are unable to offer their daughters a positive acceptance of themselves and their own sexuality, for whatever reasons, those daughters are more susceptible to alienation from themselves - loneliness, separateness, betrayed intimacy - all of which plant the seeds of susceptibility to breast cancer. Many women with breast cancer perceive their mothers as unable or unprepared to assume the mothering role for them; further, their relationships with their fathers were stressful or lacking. (Boyd, p. 116, 164-166)
Comparison study of younger and older patients (those who developed the disease before or after age 48) in a sample of 49 women indicates that the psychic component plays a greater role with the younger patients. More often, these women lost an emotionally important figure in childhood, describe an emotionally cold family atmosphere, and were overstrained with responsibility at an early age. The ideals of these women are somewhat like those of the 'Amazons': they negate the typical female role, seem quite combative, and are achievers. Only 12% express a consistently positive attitude toward sexuality; and pregnancy, childbirth, and breast feeding are often accompanied by complications; but in the majority of cases, they have children. When regarding the multi-causal genesis of cancer, it may be that psychic factors have less influence on the immune system in older patients than the overall aging process with its weakening of the immunological defense system. The older patients in their life history and pre-morbid behavior are nearer to what passes for the psychic norm, and other carcinogenic factors may play a more significant role. (Locke, 1983, p. 122)
Psychosocial factors influencing delay and breast self-examination in women with symptoms of breast cancer, in a study of 90 women, revealed that one-fourth of the subjects had delayed more than 4 months in reporting their first symptoms, and half had never examined their own breasts. The report suggested that the delay was determined by unconscious psychological processes, including the use of ego defenses of denial and suppression. Conscious factors, including age, education, and knowledge about cancer were not related to the length of delay, nor to the practice of breast self-examination. (Locke, 1983, p. 125)
Long continued stress could lead to high circulating levels of prolactin, growth hormone, thyrotropin, estrogen, and corticosteroids; some of which might affect the growth of breast cancer. There have been reports suggesting that the prognosis may be worse in patients who are overanxious. It is possible that mental factors could activate the tumor, or that toxic effects of a more active tumor could cause specific mental effects. (Locke, 1983, p. 128)
Elevated serum prolactin levels caused by antipsychotic agents have been suspected of increasing the risk of breast cancer. The authors reviewed all the cases from 1969-1978 in a large psychiatric hospital. The rate of breast cancer among patients using antipsychotic drugs was not higher. (Locke, 1983, p. 167)
Recurrence-free survival of breast cancer was significantly more common among patients who had initially reacted to cancer by denial or who had a fighting spirit than it was among patients who had responded with stoic acceptance or feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, in a 5-year study of 69 patients. (Locke, 1983, p. 145)
Women who survived two years post breast surgery without any recurrence were less anxious initially and were possibly also less depressed. (Locke, 1983, p. 147)
personality profile: (from multiple studies):
unable to discharge or appropriately deal with anger, aggressiveness, and hostility
cover these feelings with pleasant facade - tend to be compliant, pleasantly cooperative, and continually avoid any form of open conflict, thus increasing sense of frustration and unworthiness
not even aware they are angry; more repressed existence of conflict
prone to be in masochistic relationships (cold, older man; passive, dependent man)
suffer from sexual inhibition (frigidity or restraint) and unacknowledged sexual frustration
inhibited motherhood - don't want children
strong tendency for unresolved hostility toward own mother, which is denied: in a majority of women, this appeared as an unusual and unrealistic degree of self-sacrificing devotion toward their mothers
parents who were cold, rejected the child, didn't allow them freedom to make mistakes or to express or show feelings
conflict over masculine-feminine interests (not so much what the activity was but on whether it was viewed as being properly feminine, concern over activity being seen as masculine and thus being disapproved of)
more fears, suspicions, and phobias; admit feeling isolated yet deny any fears or phobias; more depression
unawareness of bodily sensations or feelings
moralistic religious attitudes, dogmatic principles and ethics
diaries revealed all felt inadequate, generally felt alone and neglected
(Boyd, p. 68-73)
Chinese psychophysiology:
Stomach ~ Wei is the Sea of Nourishment and origin of all fluids; transforms and digests food so that the Spleen can separate the distilled food essences; with the Spleen, is the root of post-natal Qi; and as Earth, relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel balanced and centered.
» Mental signs of Stomach channel disorders include depression, death wishes, instability, suicidal tendencies, mentally overwrought, doubt, suspicions, tendency to mania, and slowness at assimilating ideas. (Seem, p. 27) The Stomach channel passes over the breast with St-17 at the nipple.
Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; stores and cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); and reflects emotional harmony and movement.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» Tumors and other masses are considered a form of Xue Yu (Blood Stasis) and thus ultimately are derived from Qi Stagnation. Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216)
therapies
imagery:
beaver dammed (Chavez)
related materia medica listings: imagery for immune enhancement
theotherapy:
Amazons, Hera (Lemesurier, p. 90)
process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: immune system, process interview: female reproductive system)
related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a symptom to a signal
cancer patients: personality characteristics
cancer correlations: psychoneuroimmunology
cancer treatments: immune enhancement
(includes behavioral, theotherapy, meditation, hypnotherapy)
imagery for immune enhancement
imagery: precautions
imagery: principles: receptive or programmed?
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
theotherapy
hypnotherapy
process paradigm
footnotes
Petticrew M, Fraser J, Regan MF. Adverse life events and breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Br J Health Psychol. 1999;4:1-17.