Cancer and Stress

The complex relationship between physical and psychological health is not well understood. Although studies have shown that stress factors (such as death of a spouse, social isolation, and medical school examinations) alter the way the immune system (the body’s defense against infection and disease, including cancer) functions, they have not provided scientific evidence of a direct cause-and-effect relationship between these immune system changes and the development of cancer. Scientists know that many types of stress activate the body's endocrine (hormone) system, which in turn can cause changes in the immune system. It has not been shown that stress-induced changes in the immune system directly cause cancer.

Several studies have indicated an increased incidence of early death, including cancer death, among people who have experienced the recent loss of a spouse or other loved one. But, most cancers have been developing for many years, and it is unlikely that cancer would be triggered by the recent death of a loved one. However, some studies of women with breast cancer have shown significantly higher rates of this disease among those women who experienced traumatic life events and losses within several years before their diagnosis.

Although the relationship between psychological stress and cancer has not been scientifically proven, stress reduction is of benefit for many other reasons.