Sympathetic nervous system and breast cancer

new_direction

I'm reading "knockout" by suzanne somers and read about the theory about the link between an overactive sympathetic nervous system and many different cancers, including breast.

Has anyone any additional knowledge about this, any experience with any treatments (i'm thinking meditation but what else??)

new_direction

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20823155
Metastasis to distant tissues is the chief driver of breast cancer-related mortality, but little is known about the systemic physiologic dynamics that regulate this process. To investigate the role of neuroendocrine activation in cancer progression, we used in vivo bioluminescence imaging to track the development of metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model of breast cancer. Stress-induced neuroendocrine activation had a negligible effect on growth of the primary tumor but induced a 30-fold increase in metastasis to distant tissues including the lymph nodes and lung. These effects were mediated by β-adrenergic signaling, which increased the infiltration of CD11b(+)F4/80(+) macrophages into primary tumor parenchyma and thereby induced a prometastatic gene expression signature accompanied by indications of M2 macrophage differentiation. Pharmacologic activation of β-adrenergic signaling induced similar effects, and treatment of stressed animals with the β-antagonist propranolol reversed the stress-induced macrophage infiltration and inhibited tumor spread to distant tissues. The effects of stress on distant metastasis were also inhibited by in vivo macrophage suppression using the CSF-1 receptor kinase inhibitor GW2580. These findings identify activation of the sympathetic nervous system as a novel neural regulator of breast cancer metastasis and suggest new strategies for antimetastatic therapies that target the β-adrenergic induction of prometastatic gene expression in primary breast cancers.

labelle

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that suggests stress, adrenal fatigue, trauma, etc. may play a role in the development of BC and other cancers. I think it is a fascinating concept that deserves a closer look.

Exercise is a stress reliever for many and there is a large body of evidence to show it helps cancer patients live longer. Is it the physical act of exercise or the mental/stress relieving aspect that is helpful? I don't think anyone knows, but I think we all ought to be exercising, LOL

Momine

Labelle, I agree. Exercise is probably the most important natural "medicine" available to breast cancer patients.

new_direction

Hi thanks for the inputs. I think it's only a couple of weeks ago I read about cancer "myths" that stress can lead to cancer. But yes, this seems to point in a different direction.

dlb823

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265254.ph...

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-14560/10-reasons-wh...

new_direction

THANK you DLB. That was a very interesting article. This gives hope.
I've always become easily stressed out. I still sometimes feel stressed because of all the things i ought to do.

labelle

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the links.

Too bad this diagnosis comes w a bucket full of stress!

allicat1214

Thank you for this post. I have many of Suzanne Somers' other books but have not read that one yet.

I have recently heard of the link between stress and cancer however.

When the Body Says No, by Dr. Gabor Mate' is an incredible book on the impact of chronic stress on the body. I highly recommend it to everyone, especially women who have always put their needs last. http://drgabormate.com/book/when-the-body-says-no/

Also, I recently discovered Dr. Brian Lawenda of Integrative Oncology Essentials and started following him on Facebook. Yesterday, he posted a link to this video, proving the link between chronic stress, the adrenals and cancer, in particularly breast cancer.

http://www.integrativeoncology-essentials.com/2015...

I recently separated from my alcoholic and verbally abusive husband of 31 years after waking up to his ways last summer, at which time I began a journey of self-discovery and health. I began seeing an acupunturist and therapist and have made many changes in my lifestyle, which led to me losing 40 pounds and gaining lots of energy and a full-time job after years of being too sick to work. However, I still have 35 pounds to go to get my BMI in the normal range to decrease my fat from turning into estrogen.

My husband wants me back and says he will do anything, but I am concerned that returning to him without long-term change on his part would be a death sentence for me. But then again, an ugly divorce would be highly stressful as well.

Again, thank you for this thread and the links...

Allison

new_direction

allicat thank you 

I recognise years and years of stress as well. I hope you find the right path. What feels good is not always the right thing in the long run.

abigail48

at nearly age 78 I wouldn't have a long run no matter what