Richard said:
"...truth is..."
"...clearly related to..."
Please provide references.
"Various psychologic methods are being promoted to cancer patients
as cures or adjuncts to other treatment. The techniques include
imagery, visualization, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation,
and various forms of psychotherapy. These techniques may reduce
stress, alleviate depression, help control pain, and enhance
patients' feelings of mastery and control. Individual and group
support can have a positive impact on quality of life and overall
attitude. A positive attitude may increase a patient's chance of
surviving cancer by increasing compliance with proven treatment.
However, it has not been demonstrated that emotions directly
influence the course of the disease.
"Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Love, Medicine & Miracles and
Peace, Love & Healing, claims that "happy people generally don't
get sick" and that "one's attitude toward oneself is the single
most important factor in healing or staying well." Siegel also
states that "a vigorous immune system can overcome cancer if
it is not interfered with, and emotional growth toward greater
self-acceptance and fulfillment helps keep the immune system
strong." However, he has published no scientific study
supporting these claims. A 10-year study co-authored by Siegel
found that 34 breast cancer patients participating in his
program did not live longer after diagnosis than comparable
nonparticipants. The program consisted of weekly peer support
and family therapy, individual counseling, and the use of
positive imagery [52]. In November 1998, Siegel sent a series
of email messages to Dr. Barrett in which he said that the
study bearing his name had been done by a student and was
improperly designed.
"O. Carl Simonton, M.D., claims that cancers can be affected
by relaxation and visualization techniques. He claims that
this approach can lessen fears and tension, strengthen the
patient's will to live, increase optimism, and alter the
course of a malignancy by strengthening the immune system.
However, he has not published the results of any well-
designed study testing his ideas. Simonton theorizes that
the brain can stimulate endocrine glands to inspire the
immune system to attack cancer cells. He and his wife
Stephanie (a psychotherapist) taught cancer patients to
imagine their cancer being destroyed by their white blood
cells. However, there is no evidence that white cells a
ctually attack cancer cells in this manner or that "immune
suppression" is a factor in the development of common cancers.
"Simonton's book Getting Well Again included reports on
patients who got better after using his methods. However,
an analysis of five of the reports that might seem most
impressive to laypersons noted that two of the patients
had undergone standard treatment, one had a slow-growing
tumor, and one probably did not have cancer. The fifth
patient's tumor was treatable by standard means.
"Some people suggest that Simonton's program may have
positive effects by helping people to relax and to feel
that they are "doing something" positive. Although his
approach is physically harmless, it can waste people's
time and money and encourage some to abandon effective
care. It can also cause people to feel ashamed or guilty
that some inner inadequacy caused them to develop cancer
and is interfering with their recovery. Patients seeking
a support program should select one that is based on
scientific principles and has competent professional
supervision."
REFERENCES:
Friedlander ER. Mental imagery. In Barrett S, Cassileth BR.
Dubious cancer treatment. Tampa, Florida: American Cancer
Society, Florida Division, 1991, pp 73-78.
Questionable Cancer Therapies, Stephen Barrett, M.D..
Victor Herbert, M.D., J.D.. _Quackwatch_
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/cancer.html
