Stress and Cancer - The Link Between Chronic Stress and the Cancer Epidemic

Stress and cancer: The link between chronic stress and the epidemic disease

Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing incidence of several types of cancers, including breast, stomach, prostate, colon, and ovarian cancers. With a growing global population and ageing demographics, it is imperative for understanding new treatments or prevention measures of these diseases. Recently, a new study called “Intimate Interaction of Stress Hormones and Focal Adhesion Kinase Leads to Novel Persistence Therapeutic Resistance Phenotype in Ovarian Cancer Cells and Promotes Disease Development” has linked stress and a key protein known as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as potential drivers of tumor development. In the study, tumor cells were implanted in rats under stress condition, resulting in faster tumor progression, cell survival, and ineffective treatments. This is an important finding, as it provides insight on various mechanisms that drive stress-related cancer development and treatment resistance. This study not only explores the role of stress in cancer development, but it also highlights the need for research in novel therapeutics targeting relevant molecular effects.

In one review, published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine in 2019, relationships between stress, cancer, and immune system dysregulation as well as suggestions for reducing patients' stress burden and reducing the risk of developing both cancers and late-stage cancer were discussed. Patients who experience high levels of stress may have up to a six-fold higher risk of diagnosis of either breast cancer or colorectal cancer by late life compared to those with a low level of stress. Additionally, poor coping strategies such as heavy coffee consumption, smoking, alcohol use, drug use, and being overweight have been found to increase the odds of developing these cancers. Addressing elevated stress levels is necessary for even more effective cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. General stress programming or anti-stress therapies can dramatically reduce risk for many diseases, including cancer. However, more comprehensive approaches to addressing deep-rooted causes of stress and stigma are warranted.

Stress as a common cause of reported medical ailments has also been connected to cancer indirectly. More than 40% of cases of melanoma were due to “skin cancer from stress,” although it was not entirely causally linked. Exposing skin or hair to direct sunlight increases the likelihood of developing melanoma and is often confused as a simple sunburn. It is important to realize that risks of overexposure to UV light can be reduced by applying sunscreen daily at outdoor parties, sporting activities, or occupational exposure. Approaching a speaking emotional skills training as a preventative care is essential for better quality of life regardless of one's healthcare providers and treatment methods.

Despite the fragmented clinical individual approaches for coping with an uncertain all-inclusive catalog like cancer and stress, new emotional and mindfulness-based approaches to palliative care provide evidence-based guidance for both individuals and families. Such emotionally intelligent practices complement orthodox approach focuses on physical and biological aspects, creating congruent mental and physical wellness regimens. At times, people, especially those with cancer, struggle to find peace. Memory boxes, mantras, guided meditation, feelings posters, lists of favorite memories, and lotus flower soothing meditations likely among the qualities that help people overcome the stress brought on by their illnesses and emotions. Counseling groups also normalize complaints about mental health and emotional struggles surrounding cancer to a degree that many adopt coping skills described above. Lastly, positive internalization of such techniques, particularly with open-minded experimentation with each practice, leads to states of serenity and stability that can prove to be empowering as each day passes, highlighting coping mechanisms are valuable for wellbeing across a wide spectrum of health conditions.