Optimist 'avoid cancer'

Positive women may reduce the risk of breast cancer, Israeli researchers claim.

The role of spirit in cancer has long been a controversial topic. Some studies speculate that it may work, others do not find any different effects.

The most recent study explored 255 women with breast cancer, comparing their answers to a questionnaire on mental health and life events with 367 other healthy people.

They found that overall optimism seems to reduce the risk of breast cancer by a quarter.

In addition, suffering from one or more traumatic events such as losing a father or mother or husband or wife will increase this risk by more than 60%.

The lead researcher, Dr. Ronit Peled, from Ben University - Gurion, said that women who experience some traumatic events should be classified as "at risk of breast cancer".

However, Dr. Sarah Cant, from Breakthrough Breast Cancer, still insists there is no clear evidence that memories of grief or joy affect the risk of developing the disease.

"Emotional stress is a very subjective and difficult concept to accurately measure."