Black Widow
08-23-2008, 12:59 AM
Happy and optimistic people have less risk of developing breast cancer than those people who have more than their fair share of bad luck, researchers claim.
Misery-causing events such as bereavement and divorce make the disease more likely, a new study suggests.
On the other hand feeling happy and optimistic appears to have a protective effect.
Israeli scientists based their findings on a survey of 255 breast cancer patients and 367 healthy women aged 25 to 45 who were questioned about their life experiences.
The women's levels of happiness, optimism, anxiety and depression were evaluated before any of them were diagnosed with cancer.
Suffering two or more adverse life events increased the likelihood of developing breast cancer by 62%.
In contrast a "general feeling of happiness and optimism" was associated with a 75% reduced risk.
The impact of adverse life events on cancer risk appeared to be cumulative, the scientists reported.
A significant effect was only seen after two or more events had occurred in a person's life.
Whether or not depression and stress make a meaningful contribution to cancer is a controversial issue.
Various researchers have claimed to have demonstrated a link between adverse life events, depression, anxiety and breast cancer.
Others insist there is no reliable evidence of such a connection.
sky news
Misery-causing events such as bereavement and divorce make the disease more likely, a new study suggests.
On the other hand feeling happy and optimistic appears to have a protective effect.
Israeli scientists based their findings on a survey of 255 breast cancer patients and 367 healthy women aged 25 to 45 who were questioned about their life experiences.
The women's levels of happiness, optimism, anxiety and depression were evaluated before any of them were diagnosed with cancer.
Suffering two or more adverse life events increased the likelihood of developing breast cancer by 62%.
In contrast a "general feeling of happiness and optimism" was associated with a 75% reduced risk.
The impact of adverse life events on cancer risk appeared to be cumulative, the scientists reported.
A significant effect was only seen after two or more events had occurred in a person's life.
Whether or not depression and stress make a meaningful contribution to cancer is a controversial issue.
Various researchers have claimed to have demonstrated a link between adverse life events, depression, anxiety and breast cancer.
Others insist there is no reliable evidence of such a connection.
sky news