(posted on 20-Apr-2000)
Since this is a subject on which I have lately had a keen interest, I will weigh in with a few observations.
First, a point I have made elsewhere on the Board, more than once: had I relied on "prayer" or "faith" or "positive thinking," instead of science and medicine, to fight my own cancer, I would be dead by now. Having relied on science and medicine, I remain alive. Therefore, it may well be that having a positive attitude is not necessary to successful cancer treatment. But it may still "help."
My first hypothesis is that those who have a positive attitude, in the sense of believing "this treatment will help" or "all is not lost," are more likely to seek reliable treatment and comply with its requirements. Those who have the attitiude that "this is futile, I'm going to die" are less likely to follow through with treatment, and, therefore, more likely to die. To determine whether this is true would require long-term studies of persons who have been _diagnose_ with cancer, not simply those who complete treatment, and I don't know that any such studies have been done.
Second, having a positive attitude helps one to carry on life as normally as possible; this helps to avoid depression and anxiety, which are additional factors that seem to make treatment more difficult.
Third, there may be some phsyical benefits to positive attitudes that are difficult to measure. A "psotive feedback loop," if you will. Time will tell.
Finally, I am sure that there is a connection between the patient's attitude and the eventual level of care one obtains. By chance, an old and dear friend who died of cancer in 1998 had the same oncologist who is treating me. My friend's spouse described this oncologist as a rather grim, dour fellow, and warned me not to be put off by his manner. I have found him to be an engaging and forthright fellow with a good sense of humor. The difference may be that my friend, despite her many good qualities, did not deal well with pain and was likely to be a grouchy, difficult patient (I wouldn't have wanted to be her doctor). Human nature being what it is, medical staff may simply give more time and attention to your case (albeit subconciously) if you have a positive attitude.
Here is a brief homily. A wise man was sitting at the gate to his town one day when a traveller approached. "I am new to these parts," said the traveller; "how are the people here?" The wise man asked, "How were they in your former abode?" The traveller replied, "I'm afraid they were unkind, unfriendly, rumormongering scoundrels," said the traveller. "Alas," said the wise man, "you will find that the people here are no difference." Later a second traveller approached the wise man and similarly inquired about the people of the town. The wise man again asked, "How were the people of your former abode?" The second traveller responded, "They were good neighbors, very kind and helpful; it pained me to have to leave that place." The wise man replied, "Your good fortune will continue, for you will find the people here to be the same."
Having said all that, I hasten to reiterate that having a positive attitude may help; it certainly won't hurt; but charging off to seek metaphysical or "alternative medicine" solutions could be needlessly fatal. So even if one is grumpy and irascible, put confidence first and foremost in the science; that is always, always, always the best way to improve the odds - - Jay