Emotional support may slow ovarian cancer
Key points
- Among women with advanced Ovarian cancer, those with more psychosocial support may fare better, US researchers suggest.
- They found that women with a strong support system have lower levels of a pro-inflammatory compound, interleukin-6 (IL-6), in the blood.
- "It's relatively unusual for cancer studies looking at psychosocial factors to also look at relationships in the tumor microenvironment," said Dr.
- The findings, reported in the medical journal Cancer are based on a study of 61 women who completed surveys regarding social support, distressed mood, and quality of life before undergoing surgery for Ovarian cancer.
Among women with advanced Ovarian cancer, those with more psychosocial support may fare better, US researchers suggest.
They found that women with a strong support system have lower levels of a pro-inflammatory compound, interleukin-6 (IL-6), in the blood. High levels of IL-6 have been linked to faster progression and shorter survival with this malignancy.
"It's relatively unusual for cancer studies looking at psychosocial factors to also look at relationships in the tumor microenvironment," said Dr. Susan K. Lutgendorf, from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
The findings, reported in the medical journal Cancer are based on a study of 61 women who completed surveys regarding social support, distressed mood, and quality of life before undergoing surgery for Ovarian cancer. Pre-operative blood samples as well as abdominal fluid (i.e., from the tumor environment) obtained during surgery were tested for IL-6 levels.
Social attachment was linked to lower blood levels of IL-6, the report indicates. Conversely, poorer health-related quality of life was tied to higher IL-6 levels.
Similar findings were seen with IL-6 levels in abdominal fluid.
"Our findings suggest that lowering IL-6 levels around the tumor may be one possible mechanism by which psychosocial support has a beneficial effect on Ovarian cancer," Lutgendorf concluded.
SOURCE: Cancer, July 15, 2005.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Cancer →
NewsSurviving Ovarian Cancer: Rutgers Scientists Attack Drug Resistant Cancer Cells
Scientists at Rutgers University have developed a targeted drug delivery system that they believe could make ovarian cancer more treatable and increase survival rates for the most deadly gynecological cancer in the…
10 December 2013
NewsLung cancer kills more Canadians than any other disease, but research, health support poorly funded
Lung cancer kills more Canadians each year than any other malignancy, but a national advocacy organization says the disease is an under-addressed public-health concern. Lung Cancer Canada says the disease causes more…
20 November 2013
NewsLeadership void, not lack of money, slows efforts to address cervical cancer
A study by Indiana University public health researchers found that the opportunity for significant progress in addressing cervical cancer across the country is being squandered - not because of a lack of money, but…
