Expressive Writing Appears to Change Thoughts and Feelings about Cancer
April 22, 2008
Expressive writing – writing about one’s deepest thoughts and feelings—may help change the way cancer patients think and feel about their disease. A study appearing in the February issue of The Oncologist explains that those who immediately reported changes in thoughts about their illness also reported a better physical quality of life three weeks later.
Nancy P. Morgan, M.A., writing clinician and director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Arts and Humanities Program, and her colleagues conducted their study in the clinic waiting area of Lombardi between July and November 2006. Seventy-one adult leukemia or lymphoma patients attending an appointment with a medical oncologist for treatment or follow-up participated in the study.
Preliminary results from this study coincided with one of the largest gifts in the history of arts in healthcare and the Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program. Trustees of the Robert M. Fisher Foundation created a $1.5 million endowment fund in memory of Cecelia F. “Cookie” Rudman, a longtime volunteer at the cancer center. The Fund allows Morgan to expand her program to ensure all patients and caregivers at the Lombardi can participate in the arts programs offered. Each new patient receives a writing journal at the patient orientation.
Click here to learn more about the study’s procedure and its results: http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=31489/
Submit your news at any time to the GUMC Office of Communications at gumccomm@georgetown.edu.
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