Less depressed, more positive, with a greater appreciation for life.

That’s the finding of a small new study of women with breast cancer who created a personal website about their health.

Lead author of the study, psychologist Annette Stanton of the University of California at Los Angeles says the websites were especially helpful for women who find it difficult to talk in person to support groups and others.

The women in the study ranged in age from 28 to 76.

The positive changes in mood and attitude were most noticeable among women undergoing cancer treatment during the study period, compared to women who had already completed treatment.

The findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

According to the National Cancer Institute , between 15 and 25 percent of cancer patients have symptoms of depression.