Think positive to fight cancer

By April Clarkson, | Health | 0 Comments

How relaxation and imagery techniques boost the immune system.
Positive thinking can help fight cancer, according to a study at the University of Hull, UK. Eighty women with breast cancer were taught relaxation techniques that switched off their bodies’ ‘fight-or-flight’ stress response. They also learned how to visualise their white blood cells destroying the cancer cells.

Results show the techniques boosted the immune system. The women were also more relaxed and easygoing and had a better quality of life. However, researchers lead, stresses that relaxation and imagery techniques are complementary to standard treatment and not an alternative. Researchers also points out that it is still not known what effect this practice has on the cancer itself. ‘It may be that these immune changes have an anti-cancer effect, or mean that these people with suppressed immune systems are simply less likely to succumb to infection.’