Cancer News, Treatment and Research

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the protective lining of the lungs, heart, chest wall and abdomen. The disease, associated with asbestos exposure, takes decades to develop and because it remains symptomatic until the cancer’s final stages, it is very difficult to detect and diagnose in time. Current mesothelioma treatment is palliative rather than curative, despite the combined use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The shortcomings of traditional medicine have made doctors treating mesothelioma more open to alternative therapies, and many patients vouch for their efficacy. Alternative therapies focus on improving the emotional well-being of patients, as positive thinking and limited stress can contribute to a patients’ improvement in health. Several rounds of surgery, chemo and radiation can leave a mesothelioma patient mentally and physically exhausted, making the treatment and regulation of their anxiety a critical part of their care. Most mesothelioma patients reduce their anxiety naturally with yoga, exercise or meditation. However, the Cochrane systematic review, organized by the International Cochrane Collaboration, with a North American center located in Baltimore, Maryland, has now found that “using music can reduce anxiety in cancer patients, and may also have positive effects on mood, pain and quality of life.” A total of 30 different trials were conducted with 1,891 cancer patients, and the researchers concluded that patients who attended sessions with trained music therapists or simply listened to pre-recorded music experienced considerably reduced anxiety. Music increased the patients’ quality of life and positively affected mood and pain. In addition, benefits were seen for heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure.