Introduction
Everyone knows stress – it is the body’s natural reaction to challenges. But when stress becomes chronic, it can affect not only mood and sleep but also our immune system and even the way the body deals with cancer. Scientists now recognize that psychological and biological factors are deeply connected.
How Stress Affects the Body
- Fight or flight response: Short-term stress activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) → faster heartbeat, higher blood pressure.
- Chronic stress: Long-term activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis leads to excess cortisol.
- Effect on immunity: High cortisol suppresses immune surveillance, reduces natural killer (NK) cell activity, and promotes inflammation.
Stress and Cancer Progression
Research suggests that chronic stress can:
- Support angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels feeding the tumor).
- Promote metastasis through stress hormones like norepinephrine.
- Weaken anti-tumor immunity, making it harder for the body to control cancer cells.
The Role of Psychology and Social Support
- Mindset matters: Patients with strong coping strategies often experience better quality of life.
- Social support: Emotional and social connections reduce stress hormones and improve adherence to therapy.
- Psychological interventions: Mindfulness, counseling, or relaxation techniques may not cure cancer, but they can improve resilience and sometimes even slow progression.
Why This Matters
- Stress alone does not “cause” most cancers, but biobehavioral factors influence how the disease develops and how well treatment works.
- Addressing mental health is not a luxury – it is part of comprehensive cancer care.
- Supporting patients psychologically can improve outcomes, reduce side effects, and enhance recovery.
Selected References
- Lutgendorf SK, Sood AK. Biobehavioral factors and cancer progression: physiological pathways and mechanisms. Nat Rev Cancer (2011).
- Costanzo ES, Sood AK, Lutgendorf SK. Psychological influences on cancer survival. Cancer (2011).
- Antoni MH et al. The influence of bio-behavioral factors on tumor biology: pathways and mechanisms. Nat Rev Cancer (2006).
- Chida Y et al. Do stress-related psychosocial factors contribute to cancer incidence and survival? Nat Clin Pract Oncol (2008).