Positive Mental attitude and survival article

[Guest guest]

The Following is and article from the New York times today Vital

Satistics section. I feel that it raises the key point that I see

with relation to all of this work on ones' self. One of motive! Why

am I doing this work on myself? Am I attempting to manipulate yet

again my life and the life forces or am I flowing, participating

effectively and accepting life as it appears unconditionally, one

step at a time, from my highest point. Healing or not healing

physically is not the point, although it may be the result of this

approach. I speak of unconditional faith and trust in the process and

willingness to participate effectively (from a spiritual point of

view) with what life offers.

 

November 12, 2002

Strategies: Attitudes, in the Face of Death

By JOHN O'NEIL

 

 

Cancer patients are often told that a positive attitude can lengthen

their lives. But a new survey of existing research found little

evidence that mental outlook makes a difference in outcome.

The study, published last week in BMJ, the journal of the British

Medical Association, reviewed 37 studies that examined the

relationship among fighting spirit, feelings of helplessness or

hopelessness, denial, stoicism and other coping styles on death from

cancer or its recurrence.

The review noted that the idea that " psychological factors can

influence survival from cancer " was not only popular, but was

also " biologically plausible, " given what was known about the

relations between stress, mood and the immune system.

But it found scant signs of such an effect in practice. And, the work

noted, the studies that indicated a benefit from some coping

strategies tended to be smaller studies with weaker designs.

" People with cancer should not be pressured into adopting particular

coping styles to improve survival or reduce the risk of recurrence, "

the study concluded.

In an interview, the study's lead researcher, Dr. Mark Petticrew of

the University of Glasgow, said some patients felt the pressure of

being positive was a burden.

On the other hand, he said, even if pluck seems to make little

difference in outcome, " there are many other good reasons to have a

positive mental attitude. "

" We're not saying it's a bad thing, " he said, " only that if you

don't, it's probably not going to affect survival. "