Writing About Emotions May Improve Quality of Life
Cancer survivors who write about their thoughts and feelings may improve the quality of their lives, according to a study covered in a New York Times blog on February 26, 2008. The study, which appeared in The Oncologist, found that cancer patients who wrote about their emotions experienced benefits immediately after the exercise, and that the positive effects remained three weeks later. The act of writing about thoughts and experiences takes a step towards addressing the psychosocial needs of cancer survivors. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently released a report that explains why psychosocial health care is important and why the health care system should recognize these needs and connect patients to the right services.
Related Resources
- Read the October 2007 IOM Report, Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs.
- Learn more about the importance comprehensive cancer care.
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