Care after Cancer

Cancer affects us all. At some point in our lives we, or a loved one will get cancer. The diagnosis creates a wide range of emotional problems, not only for patients, but also their friends and family. In an effort to create a community for cancer survivors and their carers, Welsh cancer charity Tenovus established a choir (Sing for Life). Local scientists conducted a pilot study to look at the effects of singing and being part of a choir on mental and physical health. Researchers surveyed quality of life, anxiety, depression, fatigue and lung capacity in a group of choir-goers before and after three months of singing in the choir. While fatigue and lung capacity remained unchanged, they found an improvement in factors ranging from vitality to mental health. Anxiety and depression were both reduced following the experience.

Written by Brona McVittie

Brona McVittie

Writer/Consultant

Independent science blogger and musician. Got the whole BPoD show on the road while heading up the public engagement team at the MRC CSC. Loves gardening, cooking and diving. Makes corkbots too.

• Courtesy of Tenovus
• Research published in ecancer 6, 261