Patients treat serious illness as laughing matter
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/health/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_he_me/med_laughter_therapy"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081127/capt.2bb18bd7fc8244e59a4def79b2110e87.laughter_therapy_nyr101.jpg?x=130y=91q=85sig=JNDaqt6V6YVjmL7aJ2Xqjg--" align="left" height="91" width="130" alt="Social worker Gloria Nelson, right, a specialist in senior oncology, shares jokes with Rita Mattioli, center, and Burton Pearce, and Luz Rodriguez, left, during a group laugh therapy session at Montefiore-Einstein Cancer Center in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008. While the verdict is still out on whether laughter plays a role in healing, the American Cancer Society and other medical experts say it reduces stress and promotes relaxation by lowering blood pressure, improves breathing and increases muscle function. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)" border="0" /></a>AP - The off-color jokes flew around the room. As the anecdotes got bawdier, the laughter intensified. Some recited from memory, others read from notebooks they brought along.</p><br clear="all"/>

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