 |
|
Penn researchers find emotional well-being has no influence on cancer survival
October 22, 2007Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that emotional well-being is not an independent factor affecting the prognosis of patients with head and neck cancers. This study appears in the December 1st issue of CANCER.
"The belief that a patient's psychological state can impact the course and outcome of their cancer is one that has been prominent among patients and medical professionals, alike," says James C. Coyne, PhD, Co-Leader, Cancer Control and Outcomes Program, Abramson Cancer Center; Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at Penn; and lead author of the study. "This belief leads people to seek psychotherapy in the hopes of promoting survival. While there can be lots of emotional and social benefits of psychotherapy, patients should not seek such experiences solely on the expectation that they are extending their lives."
Study participants were enrolled in two Radiation Oncology Group clinical trials and completed a baseline measure of quality of life questionnaire which included an Emotional Well-Being subscale. The outcome measure was overall survival. The study sample included 1,093 patients, and of this group, 646 died during the length of the study. With the coupling of this large sample and the uniformity of treatment and quality of care that is required in a clinical trial, this is one of the methodologically strongest studies in this area to-date.
The researchers found that emotional status was not a predictor of survival among this population. Additionally, no effects were observed when the researchers examined interactions between emotional well-being and study protocol, gender, primary cancer site, or stage of cancer. Therefore, the study reports that "this psychologic variable neither affected progression or death directly, nor functioned as a lurking variable."
"While this study may not end the debate, it does provide the strongest evidence to-date that psychological factors are not independently prognostic in cancer management," says Dr. Coyne.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
The researchers found that emotional status was not a predictor of survival among this population. Additionally, no effects were observed when the researchers examined interactions between emotional well-being and study protocol, gender, primary cancer site, or stage of cancer. Therefore, the study reports that "this psychologic variable neither affected progression or death directly, nor functioned as a lurking variable."
"While this study may not end the debate, it does provide the strongest evidence to-date that psychological factors are not independently prognostic in cancer management," says Dr. Coyne.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Cancer Survival Current Events and Cancer Survival News RSSMinimizing obesity's impact on ovarian cancer survival
Obesity affects health in several ways, but new research shows obesity can have minimal impact on ovarian cancer survival. A study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center found ovarian cancer survival rates are the same for obese and non-obese women if their chemotherapy doses are closely matched to individual weight.
Men with wives, significant others more likely to be screened for prostate cancer
Although the link between early screening and prostate cancer survival is well established, men are less likely to go for early screening unless they have a wife or significant other living with them.
Survival of head and neck cancer patients is greatly affected by coexisting ailments
Current estimates for head and neck cancer survival are largely inaccurate because they widely disregard many of the most common diseases such patients have in addition to their primary cancer, says Jay Piccirillo, M.D., a head and neck specialist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Cancer survival rates impact type of Web communities used by patients
Online support communities for high survival rate cancers contain a greater amount of emotional support content than online support communities for cancers with low survival rates, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
News from Cancer: Disparities in head and neck cancer patients
A new analysis finds considerable disparities in survival related to race and socio-economic status among patients with head and neck cancer.
Low vitamin D levels associated with increased risk of death
Individuals with low levels of vitamin D appear to have a higher risk of death from all causes, according to a report in the August 11/25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
First worldwide analysis of cancer survival finds wide variation between countries
Cancer survival varies widely between countries according to a worldwide study published online today in Lancet Oncology.* More than 100 investigators contributed to the study.
Risk of death after cancer diagnosis; shift in stage of breast cancer diagnosis
Cancer patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) have more advanced cancers at diagnosis, receive less aggressive treatment, and have a higher risk of dying in the five years following cancer diagnosis, according to a new study.
Breast cancers behave differently before and after the age of 70
Researchers in Belgium have discovered that increasing age affects the way breast cancer behaves. As women approach the age of 70, they become less likely to be diagnosed with aggressive tumours that have spread to the lymph nodes. But after 70, the cancer is increasingly likely to spread, particularly if the tumours are small.
Health Insurance Co-Payments Deter Mammography Use
When faced with even a modest health insurance co-payment for a mammogram, significantly fewer women receive these potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings, according to a new study by Brown University and Harvard Medical School researchers.
More Cancer Survival Current Events and Cancer Survival News Articles
 | The Cancer Survival Cookbook: 200 Quick & Easy Recipes with Helpful Eating Hints by Donna L. Weihofen |
 | The Survivor's Handbook: Eating Right for Cancer Survival by Neal Barnard Researchers have been investigating how food choices can help prevent cancer and, when cancer has been diagnosed, how they can improve survival. The findings are nothing short of dramatic. Certain diet patterns seem to have a major effect, helping people diagnosed with cancer to live longer, healthier lives. Eating well is a simple and delicious way to put yourself on the road to good health. ... |
 | Hope in the Face of Cancer: A Survival Guide for the Journey You Did Not Choose by Amy Givler Amy Givler, M.D. a cancer survivor, shares her experience and the stories of others with the voice of encouragement, faith, and strength she so desperately needed at the point of her diagnosis. With medical knowledge and insight into the path to come, Dr. Givler is able to offer answers and hope as she discusses: looking at cancer through the lens of hope seeking, evaluating, and... |
 | Cancer Is Not A Disease - It's A Survival Mechanism by Andreas Moritz In Cancer Is Not A Disease, bestselling author and internationally acclaimed health expert, Andreas Moritz, proves the point that cancer is the physical symptom reflecting our body's final attempt to eliminate specific life-destructive causes. He claims that removing such causes sets the precondition for complete healing of our body, mind and emotions. This book confronts you with a radically... |
 | Breast Cancer Survival Manual, Fourth Edition: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Woman With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer by John Link A completely updated edition of the definitive guide for patients with breast cancer The new fourth edition of The Breast Cancer Survival Manual provides essential updates on treatment and care, enhancing the basic information that has made this the most trusted guide for women diagnosed with breast cancer for the past decade. This edition includes the most current advice on • getting a second... |
 | Everyday Strength: A Cancer Patient's Guide to Spiritual Survival by Randy, Becton As a cancer survivor, Randy Becton knows firsthand the onslaught this disease brings on the human spirit. His experience creates a special bond with fellow cancer patients, making his encouragement even more powerful. In Everyday Strength he offers hope and comfort through poetic prayers, Scripture, brief reflections, and uplifting thoughts for each day. Everyday Strength deals honestly with... |
 | Cancer: Increasing Your Odds for Survival : A Resource Guide for Integrating Mainstream, Alternative and Complementary Therapies by David Bognar, David Bonar A resource guide for integrating mainstream, alternative & complementary therapies in the treatment of cancer. Includes complete lists of treatment programs, cancer centers, support groups, websites, & other resources along with discussions of: the basics of cancer & actions to take immediately after a diagnosis; possible treatment options along with their pros, cons, & success rates; the... |
 | The Complete Cancer Survival Guide: Everything You Must Know and Where to go For State-Of-The-Art Treatment of the 25 Most Common Forms of Cancer. by Peter Teeley, Philip Bashe Diagnosis * Staging * Treatment Options * Procedures and Medications * Clinical TrialsWhen you are fighting for your life, you must be sure to know your enemy and have at your disposal the most effective weapons there are. Peter Teeley and Philip Bashe provide a complete arsenal of absolutely essential information for anyone diagnosed with cancer.Drawing on the advice and information provided by... |
 | Cancer: Nutrition and Survival by Steve Hickey, Hilary Roberts Microevolution explains what cancer is, how it develops and how to eradicate it. Cancer occurs in multi-celled organisms when cells escape the body’s controls and behave like their single-celled ancestors. Such changes, triggered by oxidative damage, result in faulty cell division. Animals and plants have developed ways to stop their cells reverting to primitive forms. Hence, anticancer... |
 | Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: What Every Caretaker Should Know About Canine Cancer, Featuring Bullet's Survival Story, 2nd Edition by Laurie Kaplan A crash course on canine cancer, for all dog lovers. Covers prevention, diagnosis, treatment options, side effects, diet, supplements and home care. Medical animal writer Kaplan shares journey with her own lymphoma survivor, Bullet. A must read for those who have a dog with... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |