¶ … Attitude on Cancer
The idea that the acceleration or retardation of cancers cells is positively correlated with an individual's attitude, personality, and emotional development is incongruent with my understanding of medical science and psychology. Positive attitudes do not shrink tumors or cause tumors to grow nor do negative attitudes increase the white blood cell count in leukemia patients. Even studies that have been conducted in the past have been inconclusive and have not evidenced a direct correlation between the two. However what several studies do indicate is that a positive attitude can enhance the quality of life of a cancer patient (Herth, 2000; Saleh & Brockoop, 2001). Even though attitude is not a causative factor in cancer in terms of acceleration or retardation, there is evidence to suggest that individuals who adopt a negative attitude, have low self-esteem or are stressed and anxious are more likely to be at risk. In other words these individuals are less likely to get tests to monitor and follow-up the state of their cancer. By reducing stress, improving the level of self-esteem, and appropriately dealing with the anxiety that surrounds a cancer diagnosis, the individual will positively augment the quality of their life. Further, I feel that by keeping normalcy in one's life and not letting the cancer have a detrimental effect on one's life can, psychologically, lessen the burden of having cancer.
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