Cognitive-behavioural stress management ‘can aid breast cancer patients’

A new study has demonstrated the substantial physical health benefits associated with better stress management among breast cancer patients.

Carried out by the University of Miami, the research saw breast cancer patients provided with cognitive-behavioural stress management training, teaching them muscle relaxation and deep breathing, as well as skills to change negative thoughts and improve coping strategies.

Patients who underwent the ten weekly group sessions were shown to experience a greater length of survival and longer time until disease recurrence over eight to 15 years after their original diagnosis.

This follows on from prior research showing that distress, negative mood and heightened inflammation during treatment play a key role in facilitating disease progression and driving poorer health outcomes.

Dr Michael Antoni, a professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the University of Miami, said: "Our overarching goal is to improve survivorship and health outcomes by reaching patients early in the cancer treatment process and providing them the tools they need to manage current and future challenges on their journey."