Cancer guided imagery is an alternative cancer treatment in which the patient imagines cancer cells dying, tumors shrinking, or themselves being healthy. It is a type of mind–body intervention.
Cancer guided imagery may relieve some side effects and reduce patients' fear. According to an article from the University of California, San Diego, a review of 46 studies conducted from 1966 to 1998 by the American Cancer Society found that guided imagery was effective in managing stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and the side effects of chemotherapy.[1]
Cancer guided imagery is not recommended on its own, as it is completely ineffective at killing cancer cells.