When it comes to cancer 'mind over matter'...doesn't matter

Scientists in the United States have found that a person's emotional state makes little difference to the progression of, or survival from cancer.

The scientists say whether a patient has a positive or negative emotional attitude has no bearing on the outcome of cancer.

A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania team tracked 1,093 patients suffering from head and neck cancer; of these 646 died during the period of the study.

The patients, from two Radiation Oncology Group clinical trials completed a quality of life questionnaire known as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) at the start of the trials.

The FACT-G questionnaire included queries on emotional well being and this was assessed against overall survival.

The researchers found that a patient's emotional state had no influence on survival, even when gender, the site of the tumour or the stage of the disease were taken into consideration.

They say though many people feel anxious or depressed following a diagnosis this is not likely to affect the outcome of their treatment.

They say that a positive outlook and should not be expected to extend cancer sufferers lives.

Experts say the study should not discourage people from adopting a positive outlook as seeking emotional support may be beneficial to cancer patients, but neither should they feel under pressure to cope well with their disease and treatment as this is not likely to affect the outcome of their treatment.

Lead author Dr. James Coyne says if cancer patients want psychotherapy or to be in a support group, they should be given the opportunity because there can be lots of emotional and social benefits.

But he says they should not seek such experiences solely on the expectation that they are extending their lives.

Dr. Coyne says the hope that cancer can be influenced by emotional states "appears to have been misplaced."

The scientists point out that the study is not saying that having an optimistic or positive emotional outlook does not bring benefits to cancer patients but that there is no evidence that it prolongs life.

The study will appear in the 1st December issue of the journal Cancer.