(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Psychological intervention programs may not only
improve a breast cancer patients’ overall health, they may also increase their
chance of survival.
Researchers at Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center found that
patients participating in an intervention program reduced their risk of dying of
breast cancer by 56 percent over an average of 11 years. They also reduced their
risk of recurrence by 45 percent.
Participants included 227 patients who were surgically treated for Stage II or
Stage III breast cancer. Half the patients received the intervention program
while the other half were simply assessed on a regular basis.
Those in the intervention group met weekly in groups of eight to 12 with a
clinical psychologist. During the program, patients were taught strategies to
reduce stress, improve mood and alter health behaviors. After four months of
weekly sessions, participants met monthly for eight months.
After years of follow up, researchers have seen benefits beyond improved
survival and reduced risk of recurrence. Among patients who died of breast
cancer, those who participated in the intervention program lived longer -- an
average of 6.1 years for program participants versus 4.8 years for those who
were simply assessed. Intervention participants were also less likely to die
from causes other than breast cancer, such as heart disease or other cancers.
SOURCE: Cancer, published online Nov. 17, 2008
