Radio host Don Imus voiced a thought many of us have had when he said stress may have provoked his cancer.
Can stress cause cancer?
Since my passion is working with cancer survivors, I immediately made the next jump. Can stress affect survival in those already diagnosed with cancer?
The jury is still deliberating on whether stress can cause cancer. Perhaps a decade from now there will be a warning label on your office door stating, “This place of employment may be hazardous to your health,” and your daughter will plea inability to do her homework due to the risk of stress-induced cancer.
But speculation aside, stress in the life of someone already diagnosed with lung cancer is something we need to take seriously. Last summer, researchers in London reviewed all of the studies to date on the role of stress in cancer survival. They found that stress was linked with poorer survival and an increased mortality rate (death rate) for those with lung cancer. Most significant in lowering survival was:
- A stress-prone personality
- Unfavorable coping styles (such as using alcohol to cope)
- Negative emotional responses, and
- A poor quality of life
So where do we go from here?
If you find yourself feeling “stressed out,” talk with your oncologist and loved ones. Many cancer centers have support staff available to help with the psychosocial needs of cancer patients. Ask about stress reducing methods you can use on your own as well. I happen to like visualization as a simple stress reduction method you can do anywhere. Here is an example to get you started: Step by Step Visualization
Source:
Chida, Y. et al. Do stress-related psychosocial factors contribute to cancer incidence and survival? Nature Clinical Practice. Oncology. 2008. 5(8):466-75.
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