Music therapy may help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety as effectively as talk therapy, according to a new study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The study followed patients for seven weeks as they worked with trained music therapists to process emotions through conversation, songwriting, or simply listening to music.

For breast cancer survivor Cynthia Malaran, the sessions were a vital part of her healing when medication was no longer an option. “It helped me turn pain into something healing,” she said. The personalized approach allowed patients to address emotional struggles in a creative and supportive setting.

Experts say as more people live longer after cancer, therapies like this can play a key role in long-term recovery. Music therapy offers an additional tool to improve emotional well-being and quality of life for many patients.