Psychology

Although researchers don’t exactly understand the role depression plays in a person’s overall cancer survival, a new study looking at prostate cancer in men offers more light. A number of studies have shown that people diagnosed with breast and liver cancer, who also maintain a positive outlook on life, tend to have better overall survival rates than those who become depressed. Read the article.

Not surprisingly, a cancer diagnosis creates stress. And patients with prostate cancer show higher levels of anxiety compared to other cancer patients. A new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center indicates that stress is not just an emotional side effect of the diagnosis; it also can reduce the effectiveness of prostate cancer drugs and accelerate the development of prostate cancer. Read the article.

While the devastating physical effects of prostate cancer are widely known, the psychological impact of the disease is a silent struggle for many men. Janssen Biotech, Inc. releases the results of its “Mind Over Manhood: Misconceptions About Prostate Cancer” survey conducted by Wakefield Research, which uncovers both a surprising lack of awareness and a profound emotional impact of the disease on men. Read More.

I got a call from a friend last year. He had prostate cancer and wanted some help thinking through what to do. He had gone to his doctors for the details about his physical condition. He was calling me for help dealing with the other condition he knew he was facing — excessive fear of this dreaded disease that sometimes does more harm than good, what some have called “cancer phobia.” Read More