Be Happy, Be Positive – The New ‘Mantra’ Against Breast Cancer

While tragedy and emotional upheavals in life enhance the risks of developing breast cancerdefine in a woman, new research suggests that feelings of happiness and a positive approach in life might actually act as antidotes, mitigating these negative effects and preventing breast cancer.

Led by Ronit Peled, from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, a team of researchers questioned a total of 622 women, 255 out of which had breast cancerdefine and the rest 367 were healthy.

The study group was questioned about their life experiences by the researchers, and were accordingly rated for evaluation, on the following parameters – levels of happiness, levels of optimism, levels of anxiety and depressiondefine.

Those suffering from cancer were asked to give their answers for the period prior to their being diagnosed with the disease. However, the researchers say that it is natural to expect that the women with cancer would have a somewhat “negatively colored” opinion of their emotional state prior to the diagnosis.

Since all women were aged between 25-45 years, the research findings hold under consideration, relatively young women, who have undergone two or more negative experiences in their life.

Peled said, "Young women who have been exposed to a number of negative life events should be considered an 'at-risk' group for breast cancer and should be treated accordingly".

Findings

As per the research findings, two or more traumatic events in a young woman’s life increased her chances of getting breast cancer by 62%.

The effect of these events is seen as a cumulative one on the individuals and started taking its toll after the second or third such happening occurred.

However, researchers also found that happiness in life and a positive outlook towards things acted more like a protective shield.

Limitations

The scientists could not though offer much explanation in terms of the mechanism of the central nervous system, hormonesdefine and immune systemdefine and the effects of the external factors like trauma, happiness and optimism on these systems of the body, to influence diseases like cancer. For this the scientists have suggested another research.

Also emotional stress is considered to be a highly subjective phenomenon and it is difficult to measure it accurately.

Also, the research has taken into consideration only young women. Women with menopause have not been considered.

The researchers have also ignored factors such as family history of breast cancer and bodyweight which play a vital role in the chances anyone has of developing the disease.

Some facts on Breast cancer

• Breast cancer is the second most commonly found cancer in the world, the most common one being lung cancer.
• 10.4% of all cancer incidences are breast cancer.
• It is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world.
• Every year UK finds 45,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer out of which 12,300 are likely to die from the disease.
• It is by far the most common cancer seen in women world over.
• In 2005 there were a reported 502,000 breast cancer deaths world wide.

Grave yet true are the facts on this dreaded disease. But, if any hope can be found from the research conducted, then positive attitude and a happy living are the key words to keep breast cancer at bay. So smile! It helps in more ways than one.