Findings recently published in, Cell Journal, present new evidence suggesting that an active social life, could in fact help fight cancer. Geneticist Professor Matthew During, conducted tests on diseased mice to look at whether social connections can reduce tumour size.
The diseased mice were placed in different settings to allow comparisons to be made. The control group were placed in your average sized cage for 5 or so mice, whereas the experimental group had an enriched environment, with 15-20 other mice, more space and mental stimulation.
The Results
- mice placed in an enriched environment often went into spontaneous remission
- on average tumour mass shrunk by 77%
- after three weeks of living in an enriched environment 1 in 20 mice showed no sign of the disease.
Results from the study have suggested that enriched environments can be key in significantly reducing the size of tumours in mice. This ground breaking research is not to go unnoticed and human patients should be encouraged to involve themselves in an active social life. Professor Matthew During believes there is no reason why these results should not be generalised for humans.
The study also has shown that increased levels of the brain chemical, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), can also help to reduce tumour size. Results indicated that levels of BDNF, that can be increased by physical activity, effects the benefits of living in an enriched environment.
Mice who lacked the brain chemical did not experience the benefits of living in such an environment, suggesting a positive correlation between levels of BDNF and benefits received from enriched environments.
Summary
These particular findings could potentially lead to new treatments for cancer sufferers. As Professor During has stated ” we are really showing that you shouldn’t look at a disease like cancer in isolation”. Research needs to look further a field, beyond surgery and chemical drugs, and focus more on how individual lifestyle, social interactions and perceptions influence such diseases.
They say laughter is the best medicine and in this case it may actually be true, so make sure you take the time to go out and enjoy yourself. Enrich the lives of others as well as your own, as you never know, it might just save your life.
With all that enrichment it is still always a safebet to protect your standard of living, a critical illness plan will provide a lump sum should you suffer a serious illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. With critical illness cover in place go out and enjoy your self, safe in the knowledge you are financially protected should something happen.
