A new study published in the journal Network Science shows that socializing could benefit cancer patients’ survival prospects.
According to scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute, patients who socialize with other sufferers undergoing chemotherapy are more likely to survive for five years after treatment.
The study indicated these sufferers have a 68% risk of death, a report by the Daily Mail revealed. While 69.5% patients, who are isolated from other sufferers, could risk death while receiving treatment.
“A two percent difference in survival might not sound like a lot, but it’s pretty substantial. If you saw 5,000 patients in nine years, that two percent improvement would affect 100 people,” lead author Jeff Liener from the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Researchers believe stress levels are reduced through these interactions which could be the reason for better survival chances. “Positive social support during the exact moments of greatest stress is crucial,” Liener told the Daily Mail.
