Women exposed to negative life events at greater risk of breast cancer: BGU study

August 25, 2008

Study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers

BEER-SHEVA, ISRAEL, August 22, 2008 -- Happiness and optimism may play a role against breast cancer while adverse life events can increase the risk of developing the disease, according to a study by Professor Ronit Peled, at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. An article on the study titled "Breast Cancer, Psychological Distress and Life Events among Young Women," was just published in the British journal BMC Cancer (8:245, August 2008).

In the study, researchers questioned women about their life experiences and evaluated their levels of happiness, optimism, anxiety, and depression prior to diagnosis. Researchers used this information to examine the relationship between life events, psychological distress and breast cancer among young women.

A total of 622 women between the ages of 25 and 45 were interviewed: 255 breast cancer patients and 367 healthy women. "The results showed a clear link between outlook and risk of breast cancer, with optimists 25 percent less likely to have developed the disease. Conversely, women who suffered two or more traumatic events had a 62 percent greater risk," Peled said. "Young women who have been exposed to a number of negative life events should be considered an 'at-risk' group for breast cancer and should be treated accordingly."

The researchers indicate that women were interviewed after their diagnosis, which may color their recall of their past emotional state somewhat negatively. However, according to Peled, "We can carefully say that experiencing more than one severe and/or mild to moderate life event is a risk factor for breast cancer among young women. On the other hand, a general feeling of happiness and optimism can play a protective role."

"The mechanism in which the central nervous, hormonal and immune systems interact and how behaviour and external events modulate these three systems is not fully understood," Peled states. "The relationship between happiness and health should be examined in future studies and relevant preventative initiatives should be developed."

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

---

---

	Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer by Aaron Tabor, MD Dr. Tabor’s FIGHT NOW book provides information on lifestyle choices that might improve breast health and overall health. The purpose of Dr. Tabor’s medical research is to empower you to become proactive against breast cancer now with specific food and lifestyle choices. We can make specific food and lifestyle choices to lower the risk of getting breast cancer, risk of recurrence, and risk of dying from breast cancer. The only alternative is to be reactive after you get breast cancer or have a recurrence of breast cancer. The choice is clear Whether you are currently fighting breast cancer; are a survivor; or, simply trying to lower your risk, Dr. Tabor’s FIGHT NOW book will give you concise, critical information that you can start using today. You don’t have to read...
	Just Get Me Through This!: A Practical Guide to Coping with Breast Cancer by Deborah A. Cohen (Author), Robert M. Gelfand (Author)
	The Breast Cancer Companion: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Nancy Sokolowski (Author), Valerie Rossi (Author), Richard Zelkowitz (Foreword) Named a 2010 Best Consumer Health by the American Journal of Nursing The Breast Cancer Companion is a step-by-step guide through treatment for the 2 million women living with breast cancer in the United States. It provides ample space and encouragement to record questions, thoughts and feelings, doctor's appointments, medications, and contact information for the oncology team and others. The book also covers myriad other details that are often lost in the trauma and emotion of diagnosis and illness. The book helps women to be well-organized, well-informed, and have peace of mind so that, even in the midst of their breast cancer treatment they remain focused on what matters most: becoming well and achieving a healthy outcome. Special features include a calendar to help with...
	Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul: Stories to Inspire, Support and Heal (Chicken Soup for the Soul) by Jack Canfield (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Mary Olsen Kelly (Author) Your support group in a book, filled with boundless strength and profound hope - until the fight is won. Along with the shock, fear and loss many women face upon a breast cancer diagnosis comes unexpected strength, wisdom, and strong networks of sharing, support and healing. In Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul, survivors and their family members talk openly about how difficult their fight with breast cancer has been and how they made it through the dark times with a belief in a higher power and the support of those closest to them. Find strength in the encouraging stories of how family members confront their fears and show genuine affection for one another through gestures such as a granddaughter cutting the hair off of all her dolls so that they will look more like...
	Breast Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do by Greg Anderson (Author), Erica A. Harvey (Introduction), Christine Northrup MD (Introduction) 2.5 million women in the U.S. have had a breast cancer diagnosis; more than 200,000 women are diagnosed each year. While recovery and survival rates have improved, selecting a treatment plan can be confusing and overwhelming.Breast Cancer: 50 Essential Things You Can Do offers a roadmap for women facing breast cancer. Cancer-survivor Greg Anderson, a recognized pioneer in the field of integrated cancer care, has guided tens-of-thousands of cancer patients to health and healing over the past 25 years, through his books and his Cancer Recovery Foundation. In this new book he offers critical information about the major issues patients face following a breast cancer diagnosis, and shows how to implement a comprehensive recovery plan that maximizes opportunity for healing and recovery.This is...
	Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors by Barbara Delinsky (Author) Barbara Delinsky's 1998 bestseller, COAST ROAD, featured a heroine who was a breast cancer survivor. To this day, it is the book that generates more mail than any of her others. That fact, combined with Barbara's ongoing commitment to breast cancer research, led her to her first book of nonfiction. Not a medical book -- there is no discussion of the pros and cons of a particular treatment or hospital or doctor -- UPLIFT is rather a collection of hundreds of pieces of practical and inspiring tidbits collected from survivors and their on everything from what kind of deodorant to use during radiation treatment to the best kinds of exercise aftloved ones. Think of it as "The Girlfriends' Guide" to breast cancer, with hints on everything from what kind of deodorant to use during radiation...
	Breast Cancer Survival Manual, Fourth Edition: A Step-by-Step Guide for the Woman With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer by John Link (Author) 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 opinion: why it's important, what questions    to ask, and how to decide which team of doctors is best for you • updates on genetic testing and how doctors are using    the results to tailor care for each patient • navigating new types of radiation, the herceptin    breakthrough, and improved reconstruction surgeries Conscious of the rapidly evolving spectrum of...
	Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, 5th Edition (A Merloyd Lawrence Book) by Susan M. Love MD (Author), Karen Lindsey (Contributor) Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book has long been the bible for the newly diagnosed. In this completely revised fifth edition, it also becomes a guide for those at risk of getting breast cancer, survivors interested in the consequences of their treatment, and anyone who wants to understand the new research about how the local environment influences the manifestations and treatments of many different kinds of breast cancer. Major advances being made in genetic research today mean that prevention and treatment can work not only to get rid of mutated cells (through chemo or surgery), but also to change the environment around the cells (through hormone therapy, exercise, and stress reduction). Among other promising developments discussed are advances in imaging, recognition of breast density as a...
	Dancing With Fear: Tips and Wisdom from Breast Cancer Survivors by Leila Peltosaari (Author) Tips and wisdom from breast cancer survivors. 125 women share their real-life experience through treatments, recovery, aftermath, and reclaiming life after breast cancer. Sections include: > Finding the tumor > Dealing with doctors and surgeries > Lymphedema > Chemotherapy and radiation > Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors > Fear of recurrence > Complementary and alternative treatments > Optimism and pessimism > Support and humor > Spirituality and facing death
	The Breast Cancer Caregiver's Survival Guide: Practical Tips for Supporting Your Wife through Breast Cancer by Rick and Becky Kraemer One of the worst possible things has happened to you. You’ve gotten the bad news from your wife’s doctor, and the two of you are either facing breast cancer treatments, or are in the middle of them now. We’re here to help. In 2000, Becky was diagnosed with breast cancer, and completed extensive treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy). She is currently in remission and leading a normal, healthy, and athletic lifestyle. This booklet is in response to the questions we’ve received from men looking for practical advice on supporting their wives through this difficult time.