The Healing Power of Humor: Using Laughter During Cancer

b-present Team | September 12, 2024

Let’s be real—cancer sucks. But here’s the thing: while cancer might think it can take away everything fun in life, it’s no match for the power of laughter. Humor won’t make a diagnosis disappear, but it can make the tough moments a little lighter. Whether you’re facing treatment yourself or supporting someone who is, finding the funny in the not-so-funny can help you stare cancer in the face—with a smile, a joke, or a much-needed laugh.

So, how do you weave humor into something as serious as cancer? And how do you help a friend find their laugh again when they’re going through the thick of it? Let’s talk about the role humor plays, the benefits it brings, and some practical ways to share a laugh when it’s needed most.

Why Humor Helps During Cancer

Laughter is a stress-buster. When cancer brings a whirlwind of uncertainty, anxiety, and stress, humor offers an escape. It’s like hitting the pause button on all the heaviness. When you laugh, your body physically relaxes, and for that moment, the tension melts away. It may not fix everything, but it sure makes the tough days a little more bearable.

Changes Perspective

Cancer can make someone feel like their life is spinning out of control. Humor helps you grab the reins again, even if just for a second. It’s the shift from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What ridiculous thing can I laugh at today?”

It’s a Connector

Humor breaks down walls. Sharing a laugh can strengthen connections with loved ones, caregivers, and even fellow patients. It brings people together and fosters moments of normalcy in a situation that feels anything but normal. Those shared chuckles become memories in themselves, and they can provide warmth during the darkest days.

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The Role Humor Plays in Cancer

Humor during cancer is like a release valve. It gives everyone—patients and supporters alike—a break from the weight of fear, pain, and uncertainty. When you laugh with someone going through cancer, you’re not downplaying the seriousness. They know it’s tough. What you’re doing is helping to lighten the load, even for just a second. And that can be everything.

Physically, laughter literally lowers stress hormones like cortisol, giving the body a break from the constant state of fight or flight that a cancer diagnosis can bring. Laughter also boosts endorphins, relaxes muscles, and improves blood flow—helping both the body and mind feel more resilient. Humor is a great distraction, pulling focus away from anxiety, sadness, or fear. It creates moments of normalcy and makes tough conversations easier to handle.

But sometimes, humor can feel tricky. Cancer patients often feel isolated, and humor can feel like a lifeline—if people around them are open to it. As Chiara Riga, a Metastatic Breast Cancer Thriver, shared:

“When the people around us show us that humor surrounding cancer makes them uncomfortable, though, it can make us feel more lonely and isolated, an already overwhelming emotion we often feel during and after treatment. One of the first things you can do to support your friend with cancer is learn about the landscape of this new world that they’ve been thrust into and try your best to understand what they’re now dealing with while keeping in mind that you will never truly get it unless you experience it firsthand. Learning about this cancer world can help them not feel so alone and take the pressure off of them to explain every new medical term that is important for their treatment.”

Her experience reminds us that humor, when welcomed, can be a key part of support, but it’s essential to know when and how to use it.

Finding Humor in Everyday Life

Let’s face it, cancer is heavy. But even in the thick of it, there’s still humor in the everyday. Tripping over an IV pole? Those ridiculous hospital gowns that never tie right? There’s comedy in the chaos.

Just like a comedian builds a stand-up routine from everyday observations, you can find humor in the absurd moments of treatment and hospital stays. Maybe it’s the nurse joking about “chemo brain” when you can’t remember what day it is, or the endless pile of hospital socks that seem to multiply every visit. These little moments of absurdity can spark laughs—and laughs are gold.

Some days, laughter feels impossible, and that’s totally normal. The goal isn’t to force it but to grab hold of those lighter moments when they come.

How to Use Humor During Cancer

Seize the Awkward

Cancer treatment brings all sorts of awkward and uncomfortable moments—embrace them! The nurse trying to find your vein for the fifth time? The hair clumps clogging the shower? Turn these moments into an opportunity for laughter. Yes, it’s awkward—but try to find the humor in the absurdity.

Check out seizetheawkward.org for more great tips and tricks!

Surround Yourself with Humor

Inject laughter into your day with funny shows, podcasts, movies, or books. Watching a favorite comedy or discovering a new stand-up special gives your mind a break from the heaviness of treatment and reminds you that joy is still there.

Use Dark Humor (But Know Your Audience)

Dark humor can be a powerful coping tool for some. Laughing in the face of fear? That’s strength. But not everyone will appreciate a joke about cancer—gauge your audience. If cracking a morbid joke helps you cope, go for it, but know your audience’s comfort zone.

Share Funny Stories

Encourage friends and family to share funny stories from their day or past adventures. If you’re up for it, share your own. Bringing humor into everyday conversations reminds everyone involved that life isn’t just about cancer. There’s still fun to be had and memories to make.

Supporting a Friend with Cancer Through Humor

As a supporter, it can be hard to know what to say. That’s where humor comes in handy—when done right, it can break the ice and bring a much-needed smile.

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Keep It Light

Cancer can feel overwhelming, so don’t be afraid to bring levity into your conversations. Send them a meme, share a silly story, or even play a light-hearted prank. It’s those small moments of joy that can make all the difference.

Be Sensitive

Not every day is a joke day. Before jumping into humor, read the room—some days your friend might just need to vent or cry. On other days, a funny story could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Laugh With Them, Not At Them

If your friend is making jokes about their experience, laugh with them. Don’t shy away from their dark humor if they’re leading the charge. Laughter shared in solidarity can bring relief and help them feel less isolated.

Looking for more ways to support your loved one through cancer? Read this blog by Metastatic Breast Cancer Thriver Chiara Riga.

The Balance Between Humor and Seriousness

It’s important to remember that humor doesn’t erase the serious side of cancer. There will be days when laughter seems impossible—and that’s okay. But on the days when humor finds its way into the cracks of fear, anger, or sadness, embrace it. A good laugh might not cure cancer, but it can heal the soul.

Conclusion

Humor and cancer might seem like an unlikely pair, but laughter can be a vital part of the experience. Whether you’re living with cancer or supporting someone who is, humor can help ease the emotional burden and create moments of light in the darkness. So go ahead—laugh at the absurd, embrace the awkward, and find humor in the chaos. Because in a world where cancer can feel so heavy, laughter is a reminder that joy still exists, and it’s worth holding onto.