I always sensed it intuitively, but new research does support the concept that quality of life; feeling good and enjoying life, improves survival in those diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.

This study, conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers in conjunction with the North Central Cancer Treatment Group, was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. They found that baseline quality of life in those with non-small cell lung cancer strongly predicts overall survival.

These results emphasize the importance of physicians evaluating quality of life issues with their cancer patients, but there are things each of us can do today.

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer, talk with your cancer care team and loved ones about how you are feeling regularly. Ask for help when you need it, whether that means a call to your oncologist about pain control, asking a friend to sit with you or clean your home, or finding someone to talk to about the anxiety a diagnosis of cancer brings. Several complementary/alternative therapies have been found effective in treating symptoms of lung cancer that can affect quality of life. Take advantage of resources such as support groups.

If you are a caregiver, check out 12 Tips for Supporting a Loved One with Cancer.

_Source:

A patient-level meta-analytic investigation of the prognostic significance of baseline quality of life (QOL) for overall survival (OS) among 3,704 patients participating in 24 North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) and Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (MC) oncology clinical trials. Tan, A.D. et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 26:2008. (May 20 Suppl; abstract 9515).