What effect might one's spirituality have on cancer treatment? Researchers recruited 165 women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (also known as epithelial carcinoma of the ovary) and hoped to find out.
Epithelial carcinoma of the ovary is not only a common gynecologic cancer, it is also among the top causes of cancer deaths among women.
The recruits took surveys to measure stress, depression, and spirituality. Researchers used the Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and FACT-Spirituality survey.
Recruits also underwent blood draws prior to undergoing tumor resection so that the research team could have data on concentrations of patients' IL-6, IL-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
On analysis, researchers could find no major associations between the patients' self-reported spirituality and either levels of VEGF (allows a tumor develop blood vessels) or IL-8 concentrations (an immune system mediator)
However, they did a strong association between spirituality and levels of IL-6. IL-6, also known as Interleukin 6, is an inflammation marker and promotes tumors growth. To the point, these patients had lower levels of IL-6, which has previously been linked with less depression and better social support.
Source: MNT
The information provided on CancerTreatment.net is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute the practice of medicine. We encourage all visitors to see a licensed physician or nutritionist if they have any concerns regarding health issues related to diet, personal image and any other topics discussed on this site. Neither the owners or employees of CancerTreatment.net nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.
