Does a positive attitude cure cancer?
No. The National Cancer Institute says that to date there is no convincing scientific evidence linking a person's attitude to their risk of getting cancer or dying from it. That holds whether the attitude is positive or negative.
This matters, because people with cancer are often told to "stay positive," which can feel like pressure. If you have cancer, it is completely normal to feel sad, angry, or low at times, and upbeat at other times. There is no wrong way to feel. Feeling down does not cause cancer or make it worse.
At the same time, attitude is not meaningless. People with a positive attitude may be more likely to stay active and stay close to others. Being active and having emotional support may help you cope with your cancer, even though neither is a cure.
If the emotions of cancer feel like a lot to carry, your health care team can point you to support and resources.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions
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