Can stress trigger cancer development?
STRESS and RISK FOR CANCER DEVELOPMENT
Many women believe that chronic stress triggers or causes cancer but there is not enough scientific evidences proving that stress trigger cancer directly. At the same time, it is well known that stress increases levels of so called “stress hormones” and “stress hormones” affect our immune system. It is also known that weakened immune system is a negative factor for cancer development. But there is no evidence that all mentioned factors could trigger cancer development or can lead to cancer.
There are several conflicting studies about relationship between stress and cancer development. Some studies suggested link between different types of stress and cancer, but direct cause-and-effect relationship has not been scientifically proven.
ome studies discovered indirect relationship between stress and certain types of virus-related tumors (cancer) – scientists suggested that chronic stress weakens the immune system, which in turn could affect the incidence of virus-associated cancers (e.g. Kaposi sarcoma, lymphomas).
Recent scientific publications mentioned that during stress women start eating without control (mainly unhealthy food), stop physical activities, become passive and unhappy, start smoking and all these factors are risk factors for cancer development – that could be considered as a link between stress and increased risks for cancer development.
Some epidemiological studies discovered links between stress and breast cancer development. Recent Finnish study discovered increased risk of breast cancer among women who were divorced, who lost husbands and/or close friends.
Stress is a risk factor
One publication found that high stress levels can actually reduce the risk of breast cancer because during stress women have reduced concentration of estrogen and low levels of estrogen are beneficial for breast cancer.
It is known that women under stress are more likely to catch cold (mainly virus origin) and why women under stress are not more likely to catch virus origin cancer?
It was also demonstrated that stress can cause exacerbations of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis and why stress is not recognized as a risk factor for cancer development (because of weakened immune system)?
It was also noted that stress in HIV patients is associated with more rapid progression of the illness and higher mortality but why scientists cannot discover links between stress and cancer viruses?
There are many questions about stress and cancer development but modern scientific technologies and modern scientists could observe links between stress and cancer but cannot demonstrate scientific evidences.
Anyway, nowadays most scientific studies have found that stress does not increase the risk of cancer development. Future research could discover more.
STRESS INFLUENCE at cancer patients
Some medical professionals suggested that stress may not lead to the development of cancer, but it may affect its progression. Doctors observed that once you have cancer, then stress could trigger cancer progression and decreased survival. Not only stress but also some negative factors such as pessimism, lack of confidence, hopelessness, negative attitude and depression could contribute to cancer progression.
Research studies indicated that stress can affect tumor growth and spread – they have suggested that the effects of stress on the immune system may in turn affect the growth of some tumors and at the same time, “stress hormones” can affect cancer cells directly. It was noted that positive behavior, supportive surrounding and social support can indeed “fight” cancer.
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