Learning how to relax may help save the lives of women with breast cancer. Researchers at Ohio State University in Columbus studied 115 women with Stage II or Stage III breast cancer. Half of the women were enrolled in a psychological intervention program that taught muscle relaxation and the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet. The other half of the study group received no intervention. Women who went through the intervention program showed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and higher levels of an antibody known to fight breast cancer tumors. The study also found women who did not go through the program experienced more severe nausea and vomiting after receiving their chemotherapy dosage than women who did participate in the program. Lead researcher Barbara Andersen, a professor of psychology, concluded the intervention program helped the women tolerate their chemotherapy better so they could stay on track and receive the full dosage. Anderson says the patients who learned stress reduction techniques also reported a better quality of life and lower levels of depression. Researchers point out antibody levels dropped in both groups of women because they were undergoing the stressful experience of chemotherapy. USA Today, 3/03 Psychosomatic Medicine, 8/03 Mindful-based Stress Reduction & Cortisol/DHEAS/Melatonin LINK to site with video/DVD on TAT techniques No Am Res Conf on Complementary & Integrative Medicine, May, 2006 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.