Optimism in Medicine

A study is reported to show that "Optimism made no difference in the fate of most of the 179 cancer patients" in a study by Australian researchers.

Reading the article about the study, it struck me on how poor a study it actually is. First, they are trying to measure a feeling, which is basically impossible. Second, they did the study on a type of cancer which has a *very* low survival rate, 12% according to the article. They were surprised that only 8 people in the study were alive after 5 years. It would have been much better to do the study with a type of cancer with a higher survival rate. Most people will say they are optimistic, but with a low chance of survival are they really?

A quote from the American Cancer Society in the article.
"A positive attitude can help lead to healthier eating habits, stopping smoking, drinking less, exercising more and learning more information about one's disease and treatment options. Cancer patients have learned to live with therapy, avoid fatigue and even have returned to work, said Dr. LaMar McGinnis, senior medical consultant for the Atlanta-based society."

I'd be interested in seeing a similar study done for patients with cancer that has a 50% or greater survival rate. I would think that changing your lifestyle, so you live healthier would defineatly help patients survive the cancer and the treatment.

Maybe I should start applying for government grants to study things that should be common sense.