Then along came immunologists who hypothesized that if the immune system were strengthened by various methods including the introduction into the body of chemicals such as interleukin-2 and interferon—the system could destroy the cancer cells from within. This investigation continues worldwide with varying degrees of success.
PNI Studies The scientists of particular interest here are those involved in psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). They also believe that if the immune system is strengthened, recovery following conventional medical treatment will be more likely. But they are looking for ways to strengthen the power of the immune system not chemically but by psychological and social (psychosocial) means as an adjunct to conventional medical treatment.
As noted, PNI studies have suggested that long-term, unremitting, unpleasant emotions weaken the immune system while pleasant emotions strengthen its power. This information led the scientists to hypothesize that people with cancer can consciously take action to enhance the power of their immune systems, which may make the possibility of recovery more likely. In other words, if you increase the number of pleasant emotions and decrease the number of unpleasant emotions, it may help redirect the course of the illness toward health.
Although there is as yet no statistical evidence that enhancing the immune system increases the likelihood of recovery, four current studies have had interesting results. The most recent was a 1992 Australian/New Zealand study of over 300 women with metastatic breast cancer done by Alan Coates, to determine the efficacy of various ways of measuring the quality of life of women with that illness. Although they were not looking to see
