Can placebos cure cancer?

Placebos have rarely been used in cancer treatment clinical trials. They may be used if no standard treatment is available. Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that may or may not spread. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is undoubtedly one of the most painful conditions to suffer through. Many types of research are still going on to try to find a cure. Can placebos cure cancer?

Mind-Body connection

We are aware that the idea that the mind can affect the body is true and proven many times. In ancient times many cultures depended on the mind-body connection to treat various illnesses.

Placebos often generate positive effects but it wouldn't be right to say that they could cure something like cancer. Studies on the use of placebos to show if tumor shrinks have shown no effect. Placebos do not have the power to stop cancer in its track however, there is a measurable benefit in treating the effects of cancer on the body or its unpleasant symptoms. Pain, anxiety, insomnia are some of them. If the patient truly believes in the treatment being given to him, he can feel better.

Placebo has no power to cure cancer but it offers a possibility to prolong life or influence the quality of life. It can also play a role in the recovery process of cancer. The ailment cannot be directly affected by placebos but can affect how a person feels for some time. Life may be prolonged due to psychological reasons ( not physiological reasons). Patients can be made to feel better even if they actually aren't. This isn't some magical pseudoscience. Research has proven that the brain has the capacity to signal pain relief if given the stimulus, in the shape of pill, hope or expectation, etc. Whatever the stimulus is effective in stimulating the brain to produce pain relievers in the body or a general feeling of wellbeing can be helpful placebos for cancer patients.

Pain management of cancer patients

The University of Alabama at Birmingham research proves that fatigue in cancer survivors is significantly reduced by placebo pill, even when it is known it is a fake pill. The placebo effect can be helpful in pain management of cancer patients as it is linked to a release of endorphins in the brain. These are the body's natural painkillers or pain regulators. The human brain is powerful and it is a fact that one of the body's endorphins known as beta-endorphin is more potent than morphine. Short term relief through placebo can help the patient feel better and reduce his reliance on heavy pain management drugs. 

Another way placebo effects could help cancer patients is by helpful, motivating words. Patients rely on doctors and medical practitioners. They believe in them and their words can have real positive effects on patients. If doctors or any caregiver takes an actual interest in a patient and bestows him with kind, calming words of hope and recovery, it can generate a placebo effect. It enhances the will of the patient, helps him fight better, and feel better for some time. The patient expects to get better because he can see the doctor helping him. It will obviously not cure cancer but the result of feeling cared has a deep physiological effect. 

And that is where a placebo could be helpful for cancer patients.