My friends have a way of brightening my days. I can spend time with them doing something fun, or just connecting and catching up, and within a short time I find myself feeling refreshed and energized. The effect carries over for days.
We’ve seen several studies showing how social interaction helps reduce the risk of cancer. But I read about a more recent study done at Ohio State University that blew my mind.
Scientists injected several mice with malignant cells. Then they kept some of them in those small, standard lab cages, and let the others out in larger spaces with play toys and the freedom to interact with other mice. Now you’d probably guess that the mice in the larger, nicer cages would do better, right? But the surprising thing is how much better they did. Ready for this? After six weeks, the mice in the nicer environments with other mice to “talk” to had tumors that were about 75 percent smaller than the mice in the smaller cages! In addition, all the mice in the smaller cages got cancer-but 17 percent of the mice in the nicer living quarters showed no signs of cancer at all.
Isn’t that amazing? I mean, throw in a few toys, some room to run around in, and friends, and you’ve got healthier mice. In fact, many of the mice that had tumors before being moved to the nicer neighborhood saw those tumors shrink once they settled in. Does this translate to humans? According to the scientists, we have to be cautious and not assume humans would react exactly the same way, but we can take from these results some very interesting findings. First of all, that mind and body are woven even closer together than we think.
“This paper really suggests,” says Matthew During of Ohio State University, “if we look at people more in terms of their perceptions of disease, their social interactions and environment, we could realize a profound influence on cancer.”
Of course the scientists are trying to find some biological connection. They say exercise isn’t it, as regular mice in the lab who exercised more didn’t experience any improvements in their cancer. Instead, researchers think it has more to do with the relationships and the stimulation causing the release of good stress hormones called glucocorticoids. “The goal isn’t to minimize stress,” the researchers said, “but to live a richer life, socially and physically. You want to be challenged.”
The happy mice also had a lower level of a hormone made by fat called leptin-earlier studies have linked leptin to tumor growth-and showed a stronger immune response, as if their living situation somehow boosted their defenses. Scientists hope to be able to use this information to eventually support further research on cancer treatments, with their eye on drug therapies that could mimic the benefits of the enriched environment. In the meantime, what can we take away from this study?
Basically, I see it this way-don’t let your life get dull! If you’re finding all your days looking the same, and you don’t feel challenged anymore, make a change. Get out and meet new people. Take a class, learn a sport or hobby, and get yourself into a new environment. We humans aren’t meant to do the same thing day in and day out. We’re extremely adaptable, and need new experiences to wake us up. Even if you already have cancer, try a new support group or one of the art therapy classes held at your cancer center. Such “positive stress” could be the jump-start your immune system needs.
Have you tried something new lately, and found a benefit in your health? Please share your story.
Photo courtesy Flickr.com.
