Can laughter really help in treating cancer?

In my work running support groups for cancer patients, I've found that humor and laughter are highly important. That's why I call my support group Strength Through Laughter. Most people going through cancer treatment are in for a very bumpy ride, and laughter helps them face the ups and downs with resilience and a positive outlook. And yes, there have been studies done showing that laughter is therapeutic for cancer patients. It helps distract patients from pain and relieves stress.

It doesn't matter what you do, as long as it makes your dad laugh. You might try renting a funny movie and watching it together. Memorize the best lines and say them to each other again later. You might even write some down to share with other family members. When the newspaper comes in the morning, read the funnies together. Tack your favorites up on the refrigerator to read again later.

And never underestimate the power of jokes. In our support group, we bring new jokes to the meetings every week. We have different categories: clean jokes, cancer jokes, and lastly spicy jokes, which seem to be the most popular ones. We encourage the patients to share funny experiences and those unforgettable moments that make you chuckle. You might suggest that friends who come to visit bring a new joke or a silly story. Nothing helps put things in perspective like humor. Humor feeds hope and the attitude that "I have cancer but the cancer doesn't have me." When cancer patients and their families feel frightened, laughter helps them connect to others.