Study: Optimism doesn't help cancer survival odds

February 9, 2004

Associated Press

Published February 9, 2004

ATLANTA -- A positive attitude does not improve the chances of surviving

cancer, and doctors who encourage patients to keep up hope may burden

them, according to research results released Monday.

Optimism made no difference in the fates of most of the 179 cancer

patients whom Australian researchers followed over five years. Only

eight people were still living by the time the study ended in 2001.

All the patients studied had a common form of lung cancer.

Although the study was small and dealt with a kind of cancer that offers

little chance for survival--about 12 percent of patients live beyond

five years--health experts say it is the first scientifically valid look

at optimism and cancer.

Patients are burdened by trying to maintain a positive outlook during

their difficult situations, said researchers from the MacCallum

Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, and five other health centers in

an article published Monday in the journal Cancer.

The study found that optimism dimmed when patients experienced the toxic

effects of cancer treatment.

Although optimism may not help cancer patients live longer, it can help

patients in other ways, according to the American Cancer Society, which

publishes the journal Cancer.

A positive attitude can help lead to healthier eating habits, stopping

smoking, drinking less, exercising more and learning more about one's

disease and treatment options.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

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