Counseling improves immune system.

• Position: Breast Cancer

Regular psychological counseling for breast cancer patients may do more than just lower their stress and anxiety. A study from Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, maintains that the right type of intervention also can mean healthier diets, reduced smoking, and a stronger immune system. "We were so surprised with the findings about immunity that we repeated the tests over and over again as more patients entered the trial," explains Barbara Andersen, a professor of psychology and lead investigator in the study.

Ten years ago, Andersen and her colleagues began examining women with stage II or III breast cancer to find out if reducing stress and changing health habits have any impact on the incidence and timing of recurrence. Researchers maintain that the data clearly show that intervention offers powerful psychological, behavioral, and biological benefits for patients.

Patients met weekly in small-group sessions to learn ways to lower stress, improve their mood, modify key health behaviors, and follow treatment plans. Researchers reassessed them four months later. They also examined two key markers of the patients' immune systems, the activity of...