HHS HealthBeat (December 26, 2008)

Relaxing, surviving and breast cancer

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A diagnosis of breast cancer is almost a prescription for stress. But one researcher finds a different prescription – including relaxation techniques – seems to reduce stress and reduce somewhat the risk of death.

Barbara Andersen of Ohio State University looked at women with stage 2 or 3 breast cancer, which is not the most advanced. The women learned how to get support from friends and family, how to deal with side effects and treatment, exercise and eat right, and do progressive muscle relaxation for stress.

[Barbara Andersen speaks] ``You essentially have people focus on various muscle groups of their body. You ask them to tense those muscles, hold that tension for about five seconds – and then I would say, “And relax.’’”

The study in the journal Cancer was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

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Last revised: December, 24 2008