Cancer Support & Wellbeing

Going through cancer treatment — or finding your feet afterwards?

Cancer — and its treatment — can take an enormous toll, physically and emotionally, on the people going through it and those around them. Many people look for ways to support their own wellbeing along the way. Cocoon offers guided, at-home hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) that some people choose to explore as part of looking after their general wellbeing, alongside the care of their oncology team. HBOT is not a treatment for cancer.

Talk to our team
A person taking a calm, quiet moment at home

Does this sound familiar?

When treatment takes its toll

Cancer treatment asks a great deal of the body and mind. If any of this feels familiar, you're not alone.

Fatigue Low energy Disrupted sleep Stress and anxiety Emotional ups and downs Feeling overwhelmed Needing time to rest Finding your feet after treatment

These are common experiences during and after cancer treatment. Your cancer care is led entirely by your oncology team — and some people also look for ways to support their own wellbeing alongside it.

Looking after yourself

Why wellbeing matters during and after cancer treatment

A cancer journey can be long and demanding, and it affects not only the person going through it but their family and those who care for them. Treatment, appointments, recovery and the uncertainty along the way can all take their toll.

Alongside the medical care that's led entirely by your oncology team, many people find it helps to pay attention to the basics — rest, sleep, gentle support and time for themselves — as part of looking after their wellbeing through treatment and afterwards.

Many people tell us they simply want a dedicated space to slow down, rest and focus on themselves during an otherwise demanding period of life. For some, having a structured wellbeing routine becomes an important part of how they navigate living with cancer, treatment and the recovery journey afterwards.

About the therapy

Why some people explore HBOT for wellbeing during this time

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not a treatment for cancer. It doesn't treat, slow or cure cancer, and it doesn't influence cancer care — that sits entirely with you and your oncology team. Some people choose to explore HBOT only as part of looking after their general wellbeing. Here's what it actually involves.

01

Oxygen under gentle pressure

During a session you breathe oxygen-enriched air while the chamber is gently pressurised, allowing more oxygen than usual to dissolve into your bloodstream.

02

A quiet hour to yourself

Sessions are calm and unhurried — many people use the time simply to rest, read or switch off from everything else for a while.

03

Part of a wider routine

People generally use HBOT as one part of looking after themselves — alongside rest, support, time for themselves and the advice of their own health professionals.

Whether HBOT is a sensible fit depends entirely on your situation, and it isn't right for everyone. If you have cancer, or are undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, it is essential to talk with your oncologist or specialist before considering HBOT — their guidance comes first, always. Our team will also talk it through with you honestly before you decide anything.

The Cocoon difference

Why at-home HBOT is different

Most hyperbaric therapy means travelling to a clinic for short, scheduled appointments. Cocoon brings the chamber to you — which changes how easily it fits into your life.

Traditional clinic-based HBOT

  • Travelling to and from each appointment
  • Fixed, limited session times
  • Fitting around the clinic's availability
  • Waiting rooms and parking

At home with Cocoon

  • Your chamber is installed in your own home
  • Unlimited sessions across your programme
  • Use it at the times that suit your day
  • No travel, no waiting rooms

Consistency is often one of the biggest challenges in any recovery programme. Having your chamber available at home can make it easier to build therapy into everyday life.

Dr Gary Dennis, founder of Cocoon Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Meet your guide

Guidance from Dr Gary Dennis

DC (USA) · MMC (AUS) · Dip HBOT (USA) · NZCA

Dr Gary Dennis has spent much of his career supporting people with complex and chronic health challenges, with a special interest in neurological recovery and dysautonomia. His own experience recovering from a serious brain injury led him to explore hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the role that consistent access can play within a broader recovery programme.

Every Cocoon programme begins with a personal conversation with Gary to understand your situation, answer your questions and determine whether at-home HBOT may be appropriate for your goals. From installation through to ongoing support, you'll have direct access to guidance throughout your programme.

How it works

Your Cocoon programme

Recovery takes time, and everyone's path is different. Here's how a Cocoon programme works — from the first conversation through to ongoing support.

1

Consultation

We start with a conversation about your symptoms, history and goals, to understand whether HBOT is a sensible fit for you.

2

Personalised HBOT programme

If it's appropriate, we map out a programme — session length, frequency, and how it fits around your routine.

3

At-home therapy

Your chamber is installed in your home, giving you convenient access to HBOT without travelling to appointments or fitting sessions around clinic schedules.

4

Ongoing support

We stay in touch throughout your programme, checking in and adjusting your plan as you go.

A Cocoon hyperbaric chamber set up in a calm home room

What you can count on

Why people choose Cocoon during this time

Guided by Dr Gary Dennis

Every programme is personally guided from your first conversation through to ongoing support.

Consistent access at home

Daily access makes it easier to stay consistent with your programme and fit sessions around your life.

Delivery & setup included

Your chamber is delivered, installed and explained by our team so you can get started with confidence.

Ongoing support

Regular check-ins throughout your programme mean you're never left to navigate the process alone.

Common questions

Your questions, answered honestly

Can HBOT treat, slow or cure cancer?
No — we can't and don't claim that, and it would be wrong to. HBOT is not a cancer treatment. It doesn't treat, slow or cure cancer, and it doesn't influence cancer care, which sits entirely with you and your oncology team. Some people choose to explore HBOT only as part of looking after their general wellbeing.
Is HBOT safe if I have cancer or am having treatment?
This is essential to discuss with your oncologist or specialist before anything else. HBOT isn't suitable for everyone, and there are situations involving cancer and its treatment where it isn't recommended. Your oncology team's guidance comes first, and every Cocoon programme begins with a conversation to check whether it's appropriate.
Can I use HBOT alongside chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
That's a decision only your oncology team can make. Some cancer treatments don't mix safely with HBOT, so it should never be considered without your oncologist's guidance. HBOT isn't a complement to cancer treatment, and we'd always defer to the people managing your care.
Why do I need my oncologist's approval first?
Cancer treatment plans are highly individual. Some treatments and circumstances may make HBOT inappropriate, which is why we always recommend discussing it with your oncologist before considering any programme.
Why do people explore HBOT during a cancer journey?
People explore HBOT for different reasons. During an exhausting time, some are simply looking for ways to rest and support their general wellbeing. It's not about treating cancer — that's entirely your oncology team's role — and whether it's appropriate depends on the individual and their specialist's advice.
What does a typical HBOT programme at Cocoon involve?
A typical Cocoon programme runs over about six weeks using a chamber installed in your home. Session length and frequency are mapped out with you based on your situation. If you have cancer or are in treatment, we'd want your oncologist's input first.
Can my partner or family use the chamber too?
Because your chamber is installed in your own home, others in your household can use it too — though, like anyone, they'd have their own conversation with us first to check that HBOT is appropriate for them. It isn't suitable for everyone, so each person's situation is considered individually.

Talk to us

Find out whether HBOT could fit your wellbeing plan

Have a conversation with our team about your situation, and we'll help you work out whether an at-home HBOT programme is a sensible fit alongside the care of your oncology team. No pressure, no obligation.

Talk to our team

Call 022 067 2277  ·  info@cocoon.net.nz

“Living with metastatic breast cancer, daily Cocoon sessions eased pain and helped me cope and Gary’s genuine support meant everything. I recommend his approach to HBOT without hesitation.”

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