Relax Improve Your Breast Cancer Survival Rate
We could all do with a little more relaxation in our lives but perhaps no other time could it be more important than if you are a breast cancer survivor. According to the Los Angeles Times the use of various techniques to reduce stress in breast cancer patients can decrease your risk of dying from the breast cancer by 50%. Now that’s an impressive number!
A recent study showed that breast cancer patients that underwent psychological counseling reduced tumor return by 45%. And even in those who had tumors return, they still enjoyed 6 months more of being cancer free compared to those who had no psychological intervention.
According to the director of the Center for Cancer Survivorship at City of Hope (not part of the study) not everyone agrees with the belief that psychological counseling can make such a big difference. In fact, it’s been controversial for years.
Perhaps that’s because the same results aren’t always arrived at. For example a recent study that involved women who were in the earliest stage of breast cancer found there was no improvement in women who underwent psychological counseling.
Perhaps it’s not so much about the psychological intervention as it is about learning how to reduce stress in ones life and how to cope with their diagnosis and treatments. It’s long been known that ones state of mind can result in survival when the odds are at there very lowest. And so it just makes sense that if ones mindset is right it could help to keep one on the path to recovery.
We already know how bad stress can be for us. Trying to recover from breast cancer is likely one of the most stressful times in your life. The studies have used psychological counseling which has come under heated debate. But what just might be missing is whether you talk to a psychologist, your spouse, or your best friend. The key is to vocalize your fears and reduce your stress. Many psychologist teach their patients techniques like muscle relaxation, which you could also learn from a therapist.
What’s important is to learn to relax an that can increase your chances of survival by 50% - now that’s what you like to hear!
