Spending Time with Friends – and Having Fun – Can Be Extremely Helpful to Breast Cancer Patients

DENVER - June 9, 2013 - PRLog -- Spending Time with Friends – and Having Fun – Can Be Extremely Helpful to Breast Cancer Patients

Westside Behavioral Care examines beneficial relationships for women with breast cancer

Patients suffering from breast cancer who spend a lot of time having fun with friends cope with the disease significantly better than patients who are more socially isolated, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study published inBreast Cancer Research and Treatment.

"This study provides research-based evidence that social support helps with physical symptoms," said lead author Candyce H. Kroenke, ScD, MPH, staff scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. "Social support mechanisms matter in terms of physical outcomes."

"While hundreds of studies have examined the role of factors influencing cancer risk and prevention, this study is one of a small but growing number that focus quality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis," Kroenke said.

To read more about this study, please visit http://westsidebehavioralblog.info/news.php?extend.67.21

This summary was provided as a public service by Dr. Thomas Giles, a psychologist for Westside Behavioral Care, Inc., which provides outpatient counseling, psychotherapy, and mental health services across the greater Denver metropolitan area.