Psychological therapy increases breast cancer survival

Posted on 2008-11-18 07:52:38 in Cancer | Mental Health | Women's Health |
New research has shown that breast cancer sufferers who receive psychological therapy sessions to help improve their mood, cope with their diagnosis, and alter deleterious health behaviors, live longer than patients who are not given psychological help.

New research has shown that breast cancer sufferers who receive psychological therapy sessions to help improve their mood, cope with their diagnosis, and alter deleterious health behaviors, live longer than patients who are not given psychological help.

Dr. Barbara L. Andersen and colleagues at Ohio State University studied 227 breast cancer patients for an average of 11 years to determine whether providing women with psychological therapy in addition to conventional cancer therapy would affect cancer recurrence.

Results showed that cancer recurred in 29% of participants and that 24% of participants died. However, the risk of recurrence among patients who received psychological therapy was approximately half that of women who did not receive psychological therapy. Women who received psychological therapy but whose cancer did return, also remained cancer free for six months longer, on average, than women who were not given psychological help. Results also showed that women receiving psychological therapy were 44% less likely to die from breast cancer. In addition, follow-up analyses showed that they had a reduced risk of death from all causes.

The authors concluded: "If efficacious psychological interventions to reduce stress are delivered early, they will improve mental health, health and treatment-relevant behaviors, and potentially, biologic outcomes. Psychologic interventions as delivered and studied here can improve survival"

Anderson BL, Yang HC, Farrar WB, et al. Psychological intervention improves survival for breast cancer patients: A randomized clinical trial. CANCER. Published Online: November 17, 2008. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23969


Health Headlines

Language and memory tests can reliably predict when a healthy elderly person is likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia
Rush University Medical Center (USA) embarks on a research study to ascertain how microbial imbalances may impact diseases such as breast cancer.
Yale University researchers report improved function of the blood vessel lining and reduced cholesterol levels in diabetics who consume walnuts daily.
Routine moderate exercise can reduce the risk of premature death in people with heart problems by up to 60%.
Added as a sweetener to many processed foods and beverages, fructose (also known as high fructose corn syrup), may increase blood pressure.
Diets high in sodium and artificially sweetened soda linked to kidney function decline.
Antioxidant compounds retard the ability of influenza virus to damage a key protein in lungs
Studying an animal model of spinal cord injury, UCSD researchers report successful regeneration of nerve cells even when treatment is delayed.
Gallup Survey finds that 11.3% of American adults have diabetes, and the trend upwards is projected to continue unless aggressive interventions are implemented.
More than 11% of American adults surveyed say they failed to enjoy a day in the previous month where they got enough sleep.
Looking for an Anti-aging Doctor?

upcoming Events

U.S. Events
congresses
Las Vegas
fellowships
fellowships
symposium
workshops
  • Advanced Hormone Symposium
    Chicago, IL | Oct. 8-10, 2010

VIDEO: Bio-Identical Hormone
          Replacement

Dr. Sangeeta Pati, one of the world’s foremost educators and practicing physicians in the field of HRT shared “The Nuts and Bolts of Hormone Restoration” via webinar. View the Webinar.

International Events
See all events »