Previous research has shown that volunteering can be beneficial to your mental and physical health. A segment yesterday on KQED'S Forum took a closer look at how helping others can aid in healing and focused on the efforts of Adversity to Advocacy, which helps patients living with disabilities and chronic illnesses turn their personal challenges into service.
During the program, Stanford psychiatrist David Spiegel, MD, joined the discussion and spoke about his 30 years of research showing that women with advanced metastatic breast cancer involved in a support group, along with traditional medical care, had a better quality of life and lived longer. Spiegel went on to explain that sharing personal stories empower patients and make them realize they are in a position to help others, which can be beneficial in their recovery.
Previously: Emotional, social support crucial for cancer patients and Stanford study shows depression symptoms may predict breast cancer survival
