Positive thinking: an unfair burden for cancer patients?

This presentation challenges the purveyors of the importance of "positive thinking" in the cure of cancer. Psychological support should allow the patient to come to terms with his or her situation in a way that works for that individual within a caring and realistic environment. In no way should psychological support add an extra burden to an already devastated patient. By forcing "positive mental attitude", health-care professionals are not allowing patients to face reality. Promoters of the "cure" that comes with positive thinking are quoted, as well as authors who question the promoters' intent and outcome. It is felt that "positive thinking" may be appropriate as one of many successful coping strategies. To attribute more to it or, worse, to insist that patients believe in its power to cure may be courting emotional disaster.