Psychotherapy, Positive Thinking Do Not Extend Lives of Head and Neck Cancer Patients

While it helps to remain positive and be in good mental health, particularly when experiencing cancer, it doesn't affect survival rates. According to a recent press release, one's mental health and emotional well-being doesn't affect the survival rate for those with head and neck cancer

There is no doubt that being strong mentally and emotionally will help any patient weather the treatments that they will face when they are diagnosed with any type of cancer. However, will that strength and positive energy help them survive their battle against head and neck cancer?

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that while a patient's psychological state impacts many things, ultimately, it does not impact the survival rate for those with head and neck cancer.

One of the lead researchers of this study commented that while patients have undergone expensive psychotherapy during their head and neck cancer treatment, psychotherapy can be beneficial, and can relieve emotional duress and cause growth, but will not extend one's life.

Head and neck cancer begin in the head and neck region of the body. It includes oral cancer (mouth), lip, nasal cavities, and throat to list a few of the regions. Cancers that begin in the head and neck region often spread to the lymph nodes.

People who live certain lifestyles are at higher risk of developing head and neck cancer. Smoking tobacco is the largest risk factor. Another risk factor is having
human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is a sexually transmitted disease.

Having cancer presents many difficulties in anyone's life. There are physical and emotional drains, financial and for some, spiritual ramifications. While this study showed that psychotherapy did not extend one's life, it may have increased one's satisfaction with the life they were leading.

This study was conducted with over 1,000 patients who were undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. All participants completed questionnaires that gave insight into the quality of their lives. The questionnaires were evaluated for emotional well-being.