The Straight Dope: Is strength of will in fighting illness a factor in whether you live or die?"

The Straight Dope: Is strength of will in fighting illness a factor in whether you live or die?"

Tough call. On one hand, I've always been skeptical about mind-over-matter claims. If willpower has nothing to do with whether your feet get burned from walking on hot coals, as I'd say has now been amply demonstrated, why should it cause your cancer to go into remission? On the other hand, when I get a letter like yours indicating healthy skepticism about the things we're told (and Lord knows we could've used a little more of that attitude in this country in recent years), well, what can I tell you? It gives me the strength to go on.