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Cheerful Outlook Makes No Difference To Head And Neck Cancer Survival |
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Written by Neil Simmons
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Tuesday, 23 October 2007 |
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Maintaining a cheerful or philosophical outlook to one's cancer does not make any difference to how long a person can survive after being diagnosed with the condition, according to a new US study. Earlier studies had documented attitude as being critical to surviving cancer, but the present study says neither positive nor negative attitude affects survival in head and neck cancer patients.
According to the American Cancer Society, some 0,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed annually. Among them 11,000 patients lose their fight against the cancer. It is generally thought that the mental state of the patient affects the outcome of cancer. However the present study says this is not true.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania report that emotional l and social benefits are accrued if head and neck cancer patients enlist in a support group or even opt for psychotherapy. However if patients look to these experiences simply to prolong their life is not true, the study added.
The study examined data related to 1,100 patients who were enrolled in two Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) trials. These trials were intended to test out innovative head and neck cancer treatments.
All patients were asked to fill questionnaires related to their emotional status as well as their social networks during their battle against cancer. Researchers tested the attitude of the patients by posing five questions including their state of mind and their feeling of wither winning or losing their cancer battle.
The study lasted for five years during which 646 patients died. After analysing their findings, researchers concluded that emotional state had no bearing on cancer survival.
"The belief that emotional well-being affects survival, nonetheless, has been remarkably resilient in the face of contrary data. It is not clear what it would take to move the field beyond an appraisal of the literature even as simply 'mixed' or 'contradictory,'" the authors write.
However they admit the outcome might be different in cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer, which are hormone-influenced. But in head and neck cancer patients, a positive or a negative attitude is unlikely to make much of a difference.
The details of the study are due to be published in the December 1 issue of the journal Cancer.
For more information on how to deal with emotions in a cancer patient, please visit http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_0.asp
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