Prayer can be a powerful part of the process of facing cancer. We encourage women in times of distress to recite Tehillim or any prayer that is meaningful to them, including their own personal prayers. Mikveh in particular is considered an opportune time for prayer.
This is a classic Talmudic prayer to recite prior to a medical procedure:
יהי רצון מלפניך ה’ אל-הי שיהא עסק זה לי לרפואה ותרפאני, כי א-ל רופא נאמן אתה ורפואתך אמת
Yehi ratzon milefanecha Ado-nai Elo-hai, sheyehei esek zeh li lirfuah, vetirpaeini. Ki E-l rofei ne-eman ata, urfuatecha emet .
“May it be Your will, Lord my God, that this matter be healing for me and that You heal me. For You are God, a Faithful Healer, and Your healing is true.” (Berachot 60a)
When treatment is successful, reciting birkat ha-gomel is a way to thank God, to spread cancer awareness, and to share a message of hope. A woman may recite it following treatment that has left her with no evidence of disease, even if treatment isn’t complete. It may be permissible to recite it even when there is still evidence of disease but treatment has left a woman feeling well and active. It is best recited in the presence of a minyan, as soon as possible after reaching a point when thanksgiving is appropriate.
