Learning stress-reduction techniques, how to solve common problems like fatigue, strategies for tackling treatment side-effects, plus diet and exercise tips can actually increase cancer patients’ chances of survival. As part of their ongoing Stress and Immunity Breast Cancer Project, researchers at Ohio State University monitored more than 200 patients who had been surgically treated for Stage II or Stage III breast cancer. They found that those who learned coping strategies and stress reduction boosted their chance of survival by 56% after 11 years and reduced cancer recurrence by 45% – possibly because they lowered stress levels. One of the most effective techniques appeared to be progressive muscle relaxation, as participants in the study who practiced this most often showed the greatest reduction in stress and physical symptoms. The study will be published December 15 in the journal Cancer.
More about progressive muscle relaxation …
– Christina Elston