"Singing in a choir for just one hour boosts levels of immune proteins in people affected by cancer reduces stress and improves mood which in turn could have a positive impact on overall health a new study by Tenovus Cancer Care and the Royal College of Music published today in ecancermedicalscience has found. The research raises the possibility that singing in choir rehearsals could help to put people in the best possible position to receive treatment maintain remission and support cancer patients.  The study tested  members of five different choirs. Results showed that singing for an hour was associated with significant reductions in stress hormones such as cortisol and increases in quantities of cytokines  proteins of the immune system  which can boost the bodys ability to fight serious illness.  Dr Ian Lewis Director of Research and Policy at Tenovus Cancer Care and coauthor of the research said These are really exciting findings. We have been building a body of evidence over the past six years to show that singing in a choir can have a range of social emotional and psychological benefits and now we can see it has biological effects too. Weve long heard anecdotal evidence that singing in a choir makes people feel good but this is the first time its been demonstrated that the immune system can be affected by singing. Its really exciting and could enhance the way we support people with cancer in the future.  The study also found that those with the lowest levels of mental wellbeing and highest levels of depression experienced greatest mood improvement associated with lower levels of inflammation in the body. There is a link between high levels of inflammation and serious illness.  Choir members gave samples of their saliva before an hour of singing and then again just after. The samples were analysed to see what changes occurred in a number of hormones immune proteins neuropeptides and receptors. Dr Daisy Fancourt Research Associate at the Centre for Performance Science a partnership between the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London and coauthor of the research said Many people affected by cancer can experience psychological difficulties such as stress anxiety and depression. Research has demonstrated that these can suppress immune activity at a time when patients need as much support as they can get from their immune system. This research is exciting as it suggests that an activity as simple as singing could reduce some of this stressinduced suppression helping to improve wellbeing and quality of life amongst patients and put them in the best position to receive treatment.  Diane Raybould  took part in the study and has been singing with the Bridgend Sing with Us choir since . Diane was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was aged . Her daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time and sadly passed away from the disease at just . Diane said Singing in the choir is about more than just enjoyment it genuinely makes you feel better. The choir leaders play a huge part of course but so does the support of the other choir members the inspirational programme and uplifting songs. The choir is a family simple as that. Having cancer and losing someone to cancer can be very isolating. With the choir you can share experiences openly and that is hugely important. Rosie Dow Head of Sing with Us at Tenovus Cancer Care and coauthor of the research added This research is so exciting as it echoes everything all our choir members tell us about how singing has helped them. Ive seen peoples lives transformed through singing in our choirs so knowing that singing also makes a biological difference will hopefully help us to reach more people with the message that singing is great for you  mind body and soul.  Following on from this research Tenovus Cancer Care is launching a two year study looking in more depth at the longitudinal effect of choir singing over several months. It will look at mental health wellbeing social support and ability to cope with cancer alongside measuring stress hormones and immune function amongst patients carers staff and people who have lost somebody to cancer.  The full research paper can be found at httpecancer.orgjournal.php If you or someone you love has been affected by cancer Tenovus Cancer Care can offer help and support. To find out more call the Tenovus Cancer Care free Support Line on    or visit tenovuscancercare.org.uk http  For more information contact Ruth Taylor PR and Communications Manager on    ruth.taylortenovuscancercare.org.uk mailtoruth.taylortenovuscancercare.org.uk. Research paper available on request  About the research    members of five choirs in Cardiff Bridgend Pontypridd Cwmbran and Swansea took part in the study across between June and July .   The Centre for Performance Sciences is a partnership between the Royal College of Music London and Imperial College London.   Tenovus Cancer Care runs  Sing with Us choirs across England and Wales. For more information please visit http  Notes to editor   At Tenovus Cancer Care our aims are simple to help prevent treat and find a cure for cancer. In doing that we offer support advice and treatment information on prevention and funding for research to improve outcomes for people living with cancer. We do this where it is needed most  right at the heart of the community.   Tenovus Cancer Care free Support Line is open am  pm  days a year on   .   Keep up to date with Tenovus Cancer Care by following them on Twitter tenovuscancer http or Liking their page on Facebook http   The Royal College of Music is currently home to  undergraduate and postgraduate students from  nations. International students constitute approximately  of our student body. In  the RCM was ranked by The Guardian as the leading Higher Education Institution in the UK for studying music. The Higher Education Statistics Agency HESA survey found that proportionally more RCM alumni who responded to the survey had moved to employment or further study within six months of graduation than graduates from any other UK conservatoire or UK university.   Among RCM alumni are composers and performers such as Sir Hubert Parry Benjamin Britten Gustav Holst Sir Colin Davis David Helfgott Samuel ColeridgeTaylor Lord Lloyd Webber Dame Joan Sutherland Sir James Galway Ralph Vaughan Williams and Alfie Boe. Regular visitors to the RCM to teach and demonstrate are Bernard Haitink Vladimir Ashkenazy and Lang Lang. Our most recent honorary doctorates include Vladimir Jurwoski Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Sir Roger Norrington Bryn Terfel and Steve Reich.   The Centre for Performance Science is a distinctive new partnership of the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London. The Centre takes a strongly interdisciplinary approach to investigating human performance in the arts business education medicine science and sport and draws upon worldleading expertise and stateoftheart facilities across the RCM and Imperial College.   ecancermedicalscience is an openaccess journal that is free to read."