Morris Gad: For Breast Cancer Patients, Social Supports are Essential

NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A Healthline article shared the results of a study that indicates a strong social network is good medicine for those who undergo breast cancer treatment. This good news caught the attention of philanthropist and businessman Morris Gad.

According to the article, the study was conducted by a team at Kaiser Permanente and published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. The study was unique in that it suggested the quality of relationships, as opposed to solely the number of relationships available, was as important to healing. The article suggests these are important findings for Americans, the majority who are for the most part socially isolated, to consider.

In results published in the article, individuals with small and less supportive social networks were much more likely to succumb to breast cancer. In fact, the study recorded this rate at 61 percent. This led researchers to theorize social supports play a critical role in recovery and survival.

Morris Gad took note of these interesting results. In consideration of the findings, he commented: "It is so encouraging that these studies prove that good social ties improve survival rates for breast cancer patients. Breast cancer has hit home to me and my family. Knowing that the love and support you give your loved ones actually makes a world of a difference is a feeling unlike any other.  With this knowledge, I encourage anyone who has a friend or family member who is suffering from this awful disease to express his or her love for them, because it worked for my family and me."

The article reported the study drew its findings from a pool of over 2,200 women diagnosed with breast cancer over a three-year period. It joins a growing body of research on the impact of relationships on healing from disease.

Furthermore, the article suggests social networks that exist only online rather than in person do not offer the same support. Interestingly, beneficial relationships do not extend only to family members. The study reported finding that strong community and religious relationships played a key role in supporting individuals with little familial support.

ABOUT:

Morris Gad is the CEO and President of Diamonds International. One of the world's largest retailers of diamonds and other gemstones, Diamonds International is headquartered in New York City and maintains retail locations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska. Morris Gad is a dedicated philanthropist who has donated his personal funds to a number of good causes across the world. Diamonds International also supports a number of charitable locations that serve the communities in which its stores are located.

SOURCE Morris Gad