Psychological attitudes and risk of breast cancer in Japan: a prospective study

Abstract

Although further studies will be necessary to verify these findings, our results suggest that having "ikigai" and being decisive decrease an individual's subsequent risk of breast cancer.

Associations of ikigai as a positive psychological factor with all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality among middle-aged and elderly Japanese people: Findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study

“…However, recent meta-analyses have shown that depression and stress-related psychosocial factors are associated with an increased risk of site-specific cancer incidence [34,35]. Previous analysis on association of ikigai with breast cancer incidence by using data obtained in the JACC study has also shown that women with ikigai had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer incidence [29]. Psychological factors might be associated with incidence of cancer in a certain site.…”

“…Four possible answers were provided: 'definitely yes,' 'yes,' 'not particular,' and 'no' [29]. For the analysis, these responses were categorized into two groups as follows: subjects who answered 'definitely yes' or 'yes' were defined as those with ikigai, and subjects who answered 'not particular' or ' no' were defined as those without ikigai.…”

Sense of Life Worth Living (Ikigai) and Mortality in Japan: Ohsaki Study

“…A Japanese study reported that the lack of ikigai was significantly associated with CVD mortality, but not cancer mortality (11). On the other hand, another study reported that the lack of ikigai was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (17).…”

“…T he psychological factors of people play important roles in the morbidity and mortality risks (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Studies in the US and Europe have reported that the negative psychological factors, as represented by factors such as a low subjective sense of well-being (1), dissatisfaction (2)(3)(4), hopelessness (5,6), and self-perception of ill health (7)(8)(9), were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.…”

The interaction between individualism and wellbeing in predicting mortality: Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe

“…Numerous studies document links between wellbeing or positive affect and favorable health outcomes (Boehm et al, 2011; Chida & Steptoe, 2008; Feller et al, 2013; Martín-María et al, 2017; Wakai et al, 2007). What is, however, unclear, is the extent to which these associations are largely consistent across cultures versus varying across cultures that differ in cultural dimensions related to social networks.…”