What is visualisation?
Once you have learned relaxation techniques, you can learn to see an image in your mind and to alter it as you wish. This is visualisation.
How do I learn to visualise?
When you learn relaxation techniques you will be taught to picture a scene or an object as part of the relaxation process. Once you are able to create a particular image in this way, you will find you can create new images and make them act in any way you choose.
How can it be helpful for people who have breast cancer?
Many people find that if they can see their cancer in their mind they can visualise its destruction. For example, some people give their cancer a shape in their mind and imagine it being attacked or engulfed by something.
Visualisation can also help some people to cope with the side effects of treatment. They might visualize something cool touching their skin where they have had radiotherapy treatment as a way of helping to soothe skin soreness that can occur as the course of treatment progresses.
Is visualisation available on the NHS?
Many cancer treatment centres who offer relaxation sessions also include visualisation techniques.
