Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Breast Cancer and Prayer

It wasn't that long ago when a study claimed praying with sick people have no benefits. A new research team has a different opinion:

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Praying online in a support group may help women with breast cancer cope with the disease more effectively, a new study shows.

Dr. Bret Shaw of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and colleagues found that breast cancer patients who used a higher percentage of religion-related words in their communications with an Internet support group had lower levels of negative emotions, better functional well-being, and more confidence in their ability to deal with their illness.

"Breast cancer patients who want to pray can use online support groups as a place to cope with their illness with other people going through similar situations," Shaw told Reuters Health. "Our data suggest that this might make you feel better."

Read more...

From a personal experience, group prayer helps. It can make a cold room feel so warm. But, that's just my opinion.

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