A new study suggests that stress relieving program may boost survival in women with recurrent breast cancer, and also improve their overall quality of life. 

The researchers followed 227 women who were newly diagnosed with stages 2 and 3 breast cancer.  They were randomly assigned to either take part in an intervention program designed to reduce stress or just be assessed without participating in the program.

The breast cancer recurred in 62 of the women during the follow-up period.  Those who had taken part in the stress relieving program were 59% less likely to die of breast cancer compared with the group that did not take part in the anti-stress program.

A previous study has shown that women who took part in the stress relief program were 45% less likely to have the breast cancer recur, over a follow up period of 11 years.