Stress & breast cancer

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Merilee
Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Before I was diagnosed I was under a tremendous amount of stress.

I believe that stress contributed to my getting cancer. Anyone else have such thoughts?

 Somewhere I read that stress can make one more likely to get it because it taxes the immune system.

Comments

  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited April 2009

    My onc wouldn't even let me try to stop smoking because they wanted me to stay stress free...who can do that in these times?

    Deb

  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited April 2009

    I went through a tremendous amount of stress3-4 years before I was diagnosed. Relationship stress and financial stress.

    When I heard the words,"it's malignant", I KNEW what caused it. I had that gut feeling it was very raw.

    I saw a Natural Path doctor after I finished treatment to see what supplements / vitamins to take. I had to fill out a new patient form and I explained my BC diagnosis. When I sat down with her this were her exact words....

    Her - " So you had a breast cancer diagnosis?"

    Me- "Yes...I just finished all my treatment."

    Her- "Did you go through a traumantic time or any stressful events in the last few years?"

    Wtf?..I started balling! It just confirmed everything to me.

    I know the docs say nothing has been proven blah blah....But it IS proven that sress weakens the immune system, which can make you more suceptible to any illness.Some people can handle stress well, I know now that I can't. I have made personal changes to help me deal with "things". So far ...so good. Smile

  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited April 2009

    The first words out of my surgeons mouth were "cut all the stress out of your life right now".  Like that is going to happen, but made me think about the last year and a half of my life before being dx'd with BC-  Buried my brother from colon cancer, buried my mother from breast cancer, filed bankruptcy, my marriage is falling apart, and I have three teen agers- I definitely think there is a link!  Tami

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited April 2009

    I , myself, had about 4 straight years of TOTAL stress.. Some I brought on myself and some ( most) I had no control over.

    I do all I can to keep cancer from showing its horrific face again.. and on that list.. as best I know how.. Let the stress leave... What I cannot control.... let it go.

    It is hard for a person like me... but if I want to live.. I just have too... so I am...

  • car
    car Member Posts: 492
    edited April 2009

    I wouldn't go so far as to say that there is a clear causal relationship between stress and cancer, but research is very clear that stress reduces the efficient functioning of your immune system. It is something that you can try to exert some control over, and stress management can only help your medical situation--as well as other factors in your life. I thought that I was doing pretty well w/my exercise regimen (my typical stress mgt. strategy), but my onc put me on a lexapro/klonopin cocktail when the stress overwhelmed me and my insomnia got to the point that I spent an entire sleepless night--on a vacation to Paris, of all things (and it wasn't due to jet lag)!

    Now, stress mgt. and a good night's sleep is my top priority.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    I totally believe my BC was caused by stress and poor diet.

    I was under horrible stress for 9 yrs. I still am stressed but I try my best to relax and not worry.

  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited April 2009

    ivorymom,

    I personally have just let things go.

     I have ended "toxic" relationships. I have learned that I don't have to please everybody. I now say "NO!". Most importantly...I have learned to forgive....so I can move on and be in peace.

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited April 2009

    If you are looking for some stress relief look at the forum called "Our escape"

    It gave me bely laughs

  • lisasayers
    lisasayers Member Posts: 850
    edited April 2009

    Stress causes MANY problems in our bodies!!!  And being a "triple A" personality, it was a while before I was able to learn to let things go.  My onc told me that even though my cancer was very small, it had probably been growing for 8-10 years and when I looked back at that time in my life...it was VERY stressful.  Can you say "step-kids from hell"! LOL 

    Stress shortens our life in many ways.....I've learned to just let things go.  It's not what happens to me, but how I respond to what happens to me.

  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited April 2009

    If you want to look for a stressful cause of your bc, look about 7 or 8 years back because that's how long most cancers have been growing before they become noticeable as even a very tiny lump. 

  • dmayes
    dmayes Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2009

    Anyone with Triple Neg and stres??  Mine grew very quickly, and I must say about 4-6 months before I noticed my lump, yes there was a stressful period in my life.  I've always held busy jobs (management) but not what I called stressful, but I am sure the "stress" of dropping off kids/picking them up/cooking/cleaning blah blah is also a contributer?

    I'm off to look for some hints (thanks) and see if I can de-stress as I wait to met with Onc and decide the treatment path.

    Question - has anyone had the skin/nipple sparing srugery (for both) to reduce the risk of recurrence.  I have zero nodes/clear margins, so am hoping that zero infiltration anywhere else this will reduce the risk for me - or am I dreaming?

    Regards Debs

  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2009

    My first cancer was a triple negative and as for stress...how about having a son in Iraq for the second time, a stressful job and a lousy relationship? My son is back in the states, injured, but doing well, I quit my job, married a wonderful man, moved to the coast and work out 5 days a week and attend yoga twice a week. I have completely changed my diet and feel better now, with occasional aches from chemo. Stress changes nothing but creates numerous health issues...

    Linda

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited April 2009

    I had Alot of Stress 1 yr before I was DX.  I do think that contributed to me getting breast cancer.

    Otherwise I think my Life had Low stress (except when My Mom died of Cancer 17 yrs ago & My Sister died Unexpectedly 4 yrs after her)

    I let so much go now....While somethings still worry me.  My Kids Safety & things like that.

    I kind of live with an  'Oh Well'  Mantra. 

    Most things I dont care about- Messy house, Things that dont get accomplished, etc-  "oh Well'.    Dh still is Stressed in General- You should see him in traffic...Its like- there is nothing you can do- So relax & Enjoy some music in your car Smile

    I try to get him to let it go- but he hasnt yet.

    I try take time out to relax each day- Especially in Nice weather.  Me & Deja sit outside & just enjoy the Free Vit D & Listen to the wind & Birds.

    Pam

  • poolgirl
    poolgirl Member Posts: 111
    edited May 2009

    I too had stress previously. I had the worst job ever about 8 years before I was diagnosed. I was also exposed to a cancer suspect chemical in that time frame.I need to learn de stress techniques. I have a better job and my life is way better just busy. I am trying to walk daily. I spend ME time every weekend pulling weeds in the garden.

  • pinkdove10
    pinkdove10 Member Posts: 80
    edited June 2009

    I was told that stress increases yr chances of having cancer.  I did get into self analysis and thought back my life the last 1 year.  I am  strong believer that stress and my thoughts r the only things that has got this cancer in me.  I just refused to be happy after a certain episode in my life.  I have a lot of things , by the grace of god.  A healthy 9 yr old girl.  a caring husband, good family support.  But i guess i just wanted to be unhappy and that added to the stress.  Now i try not to be unhappy and thank god for a lot of things in my life.  lets see how my life progress now

  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    I guess you could say I was under a lot of stress just prior to my diagnosis.  My father died of a very unusual and aggressive prostate cancer in April of 2008.  We kept him home but it was very stressful.  I was diagnosed with Stage I cancer in November of 2008.  I'm working on de stressing now.  My family has been very supportive.

  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited June 2009

    stress really runs down the body, much more susceptible to illness and disease, just not able to fit things off.  Our world is so stressful in general, day to day. Such a shame that it takes something like this to wake us up and deal with the stress and nonsense.

  • BrittaA
    BrittaA Member Posts: 56
    edited July 2009

    Hi Merilee,

    I'm a cancer survivor and was a caregiver to my father through his 8-year cancer battle. I totally understand the role that stress plays when you have cancer. Here is one of the books my dad read while he was going through chemo "You can heal your life" by Louise Hay and it discusses the importance of stress and disease. I believe it's very important to learn how to relax, be optimistic and stay positive during treatment as well as laugh and be surrounded by people that love you. Emotions such as love, optimism and positivity work like a tonic that heals your body. Stress, anger and sadness work like toxins in the body. 

    I started a blog (http://www.cincovidas.com/) that deals with treatment side effects because I couldn't find much information while my father was going through treatment. I think you may be interested on the posts listed under the category "Think Yourself Well During Cancer"   http://blog.cincovidas.com/category/think-yourself-well

    My post on massage and relaxation may also help. There have been many studies that show that massage boosts the immune system in cancer patients and helps lower stress hormones http://blog.cincovidas.com/can-a-trip-to-the-spa-help-build-the-immune-system

    I hope this helps.

    Love, strength, and survival

    Britta

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited August 2009

    While it is true in my case that I had a stressful year before I found my tumor, I am not really sure of the connection.  My surgeon said breast cancers can be there for some years before they are seen or felt.  So it could be related to events further back, but when?  Like melanoma probably doesn't come from your vacation last year in sunny Mexico, but from that real bad sunburn you got back when you were 16.  Cancer is so weird.  Who knows when good cells go bad.

    Stress could be a factor of some cancers in some people, but if it was that definitive you would start to see people with real stressful jobs (like Air Traffic Controllers or something) filling up the cancer wards.  Every war vet would wind up getting cancer, right?  What I'm saying is that some people have a lot of stress and the cancer passes them by. Maybe stress, maybe genetics, maybe diet, environment and a whole lot more are all wrapped up together in the tapestry of cancer that, so far, has not been unraveled.

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