October 12, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11 Being loved and feeling loved can help prevent a recurrence of cancer and reduce fatality rates among those battling the disease, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. A strong social support system can play a large role in how people diagnosed with cancer manage the disease. Those with emotionally satisfying relationships may have prolonged life expectancy or even ward off a relapse of cancer. The study was conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Shanghai Institute of Preventative Medicine over the last eight years. Researchers worked with patients enrolled in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survivor Study who completed a quality of life survey after six months of being diagnosed with cancer. The majority of patients completed a follow-up survey 30 months later. Responses on different physical issues were calculated into a general quality of life score. Roughly five years later, researchers documented participants who had cancer recurrences or had died from the disease. Compared to women with low scores, women who had the highest quality of life score had a 48 percent reduction in another cancer occurrence and a 38 percent reduction in the risk of death. The findings of the study indicate that strong emotional and social support early after a diagnosis of breast cancer can be a strong ally in a woman or man’s fight with the disease. Oncologists and therapists can use these study results to help develop a support network for breast cancer patients as part of the course of treatment for the disease. Such social support is especially important in the first year after a cancer diagnosis. Marital satisfaction is also a key factor in the quality of life a person with breast cancer may have. Should a person be diagnosed with breast cancer, there are a number of things he or she can do to improve the support network. Social support cuts breast cancer deaths by almost half Spend considerable time talking and sharing moments with your spouse and children. Surround yourself with positive minded people. Connect with breast cancer survivors through a local organization in the community or online. Participate in events designed to raise money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Accept help and support from others when it is needed. Consider psychological counseling if an added boost is needed. Share your experiences with others who may be in similar situations. Volunteer your time doing something that has nothing to do with the disease, like a club or activity. In the United States alone, more than 200,000 breast cancer diagnoses are made each year. According to the American Cancer Society, the death rates for breast cancer among women are higher than for any other cancer besides lung cancer. The survival rate for breast cancer is considerably better the earlier the cancer is detected. In fact, the Canadian Cancer Society notes the five-year survival rate for Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004-06 was 88 percent. Such survival rates typically depend on the stage at which the cancer was diagnosed. Breast cancer is commonly diagnosed on a scale from 0 to IV, with 0 describing noninvasive cancers and IV describing invasive cancers that have spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. In the U.S., stage 0 breast cancers have a considerably higher survival rate (93 percent according to the National Cancer Data Base) than stage IV breast cancers (15 percent). What those statistics illustrate is the emphasis women must place on detecting breast cancers. While self-examination was once suggested, medical organizations and professionals now question if such self-examinations are ideal. Women should consult their physician to determine the best approach for them. Self-examination might be the ultimate decision, but women must recognize the importance of immediately consulting their physician should any of the Recognize the signs of breast cancer following signs and symptoms appear. • Lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm. This lump or thickening will persist through the menstrual cycle. • An area that is noticeably different from any other area on either breast. • A mass or lump on the breast. This lump can be as small as a pea. • Changes in the size, shape or contour of the breast. • Redness around the nipple or on the skin of the breast. • A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple. • A change in how the breast feels or appears. The breast might be scaly or inflamed and can even dimple. • A hardened area under the skin. While self-examination can help women discover any potential signs and symptoms of breast cancer, women should know that even a thorough self-examination in which no symptoms appear doesn't necessarily mean a woman is breast cancer-free. Women, particularly those with a family history of breast cancer or those over the age of 50, should also be tested for breast cancer on an annual or biannual basis.