While we always knew that being optimistic is good for our mental health, a research published in the BMC Cancer journal has revealed that positive thinking also avoids breast cancer.
Apparently, depression after tragic events like loss of parents or husband or any beloved one or perhaps even a divorce can lead to cancer. In cases like these positive thinking has been identified to be a knight in shining armour for the damsels in distress.
The research was conducted by a team from Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, led by Ronit Peled. The team of researchers studied 255 women afflicted with breast cancer and 367 healthy women. Both the groups were questioned on levels of happiness, optimism, depression and anxiety they experienced in their life, and before diagnosis in case of women with cancer. They were then evaluated on the basis of the findings of the investigation.
“Young women who have been exposed to a number of negative life events should be considered an ‘at-risk’ group for breast cancer and should be treated accordingly,” said Peled.
Since the link between happiness quotient or optimism and breast cancer is puzzling, researchers note that the central nervous, hormonal and immune system and their interaction as per the body’s behaviour in external events is yet to be fully demystified which needs further studies. However, they are very sure that happiness can play a protective role in women.
Also, researchers do not fail to notice that perhaps the woman with cancer may look back gloomily, post-diagnosis, at the events occurred in their life thereby colouring their experiences negatively. However, there certainly are chances of severe or even moderate events putting young women at the risk of breast cancer.