Stress & Cancer

Ah, let me get this right... We've been diagnosed with and are in treatment for breast cancer, which in most cases has already involved surgery.  And it's serious enough that we still need chemotherapy.  And we're not supposed to feel stressed 2 days before our chemo treatments???? 

hmm..well..I'm 5 years out and I exercised daily during chemo and rads. ...power walking.

 I also believe that emotional stress is a part this stress in general because emotional stress affects one physically as well.

The exercise actually should be helping to reduce that stress so we are back to less emotional stress that can affect you physically but now we are into physical stress. I think we need to wait for more studies on this topic. I'm not sure about it all...

In a certain portion of women who die from heart disease they find breast cancer that has been lying dormant.

I just wanted to say my comments were specifically about "heat shock proteins" -- the subject of the article quoted.  Emotional stress definitely raises cortisol levels and isn't good.  And RavDeb, I agree with you about exercise, too.  Like I said, heat shock proteins protect healthy cells, too -- which, as we all know, get damaged by chemo and rads and need to survive!

That article seems like an attempt to "popularize" a fairly arcane scientific finding.  The scientific study was of cells in a dish, trying to spell out some basic steps that happen when cells are exposed to chemo and/or rads.  I think it's way too early and really off the mark for the investigator to jump to recommendations to "avoid stress two days before chemo."  Anyway, the only point I was making was that heat shock proteins are the body's way of trying to protect itself from extreme physiologic/environmental conditions.

Emotional stress is a whole other issue -- but it does not relate to heat shock proteins.

I think stress can definitely be a major player in the role of cancer. This is a subject that I've been discussing with other cancer patients lately. I have several stories to share...

I recently caught up with a dear friend (almost like a cousin) that l haven't seen in many, many years because she moved to another State. She developed stage 4 bowel cancer at a dreadful time in her life. She had chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and has a permanent stoma. She was married to a very abusive controlling man...and suffered a great deal of stress, and during that period of her life her mother died. Our mothers were very close...so she feels a maternal connection with my mother, and decided to visit her/us.

    I asked her how her health was going. And she said "Well as you can see I've put on a considerable amount of weight." I asked her if her weight situation was bothering her at all, and if she was considering a healthier lifestyle. She said the healthiest thing she ever did in her life was divorcing the control freak! Three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer...she met the man of her dreams. She said he fell in love with her regardless of her situation and they've been living a blissful life ever since. He's a Scotsman and loves his potato dishes and she also loves her food and never bothered to change her eating habits to a healthier one. They have a beautiful home and do a lot of travelling together. She's never been happier. She did say the stoma/bag can get pretty disgusting but after THIRTEEN YEARS ...she's used to it. She does not do any pharmaceutical drugs or any naturopathic alternatives. She eats what she wants...and is simply happy.

It's amazing some of us can do so much in the way of a healthy life style and have reoccurrence...and others don't give a damn and live a long healthy life after cancer. I really believe happiness is key.

Anyway...Second story...

An incredible, highly intellect gentleman I know developed late stage Multiple myeloma...and was given six months to live. (I've spoken about this before) He managed to finish one round of chemo but felt like it was going to kill him. He had 7 more to go, but decided not to continue. He cut down most of his classes he taught at university, and spent more time at home in a sub-tropical rainforest where he lives with his wife away from the city. He is a vegetarian and takes supplements (turmeric, MSM, essiac tea, spirulina, chlorella...etc) ...he totally believes this helped with his now 12 YEAR survival. He goes for his 6 monthly check-ups and the doctors can't believe he's still with us. He basis his long term survival on a healthy stress free lifestyle, and swears by it.

My story...

Whenever I get REALLY upset...I feel pain in my cancer bed. And I'm not talking about pain post-surgery. I have a wonderful life, and am happy and humble almost always...but like most of us it's had its downs. About five years ago my hubby decided to buy into a business I knew would disrupt the balance at home. I didn't want to start up this business. Although successful it eventually took its toll on our marriage. We separated for six awful months. I cried my heart out every day. I told my mum that when I cry it hurts just above my breast. We eventually reconciled. A year or so later my son was in a car accident and developed a shock related autoimmune disorder. He suffered so much stress...as did I. I felt pain so many times in the same spot, where my cancer bed is/was. I told my parents I hope the pain wasn't going to result in cancer one day...as I was diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia in that same area, five years prior. Well I did develop invasive cancer in  2009...and, well, my life has been wonderful ever since, no dramas. I have been pampered by loved ones, and I'm extremely blessed. But three weeks ago a seedy character decided to rob my home. (my neighbour saw him take off) He took some of my son's personal belongings along the way, as well as other personal things. I was sooooooooooo upset at the mess he left behind. And guess what? I felt pain in the same spot again. I had totally forgotten about the pain in that area...until now. There are many ways of developing cancer. I definitely believe that cells are emotionally charged, and stress is a silent beast that is able to mutate them. Yes I believe stress is a contributing factor Barry.

I'm off for a lovely walk along the beach with my hubby, and pooches.

Have a lovely day ladies...xoxo

Victoria

I'm sure a believer for a variety of reasons that stress damages.

I've operated a with hyped up orientation to the world (type A). Put me in a fight (education, staying awake during shift work way back when, fighting for "a cause' for several years in the '90's so on and so forth. Seems like I had to be pushing forward pretty often. I believe I became addicted to the addrenal buzz. No really.

Now I'm 57 and have had to slow down. Body just doesn't like punching forth.

But get this, I had my BMX April 28 '10 (and needed no other intervention, Thank God). Once I healed completely and resumed my life, I found that getting angry or fustrated swells my remaining breast tissue. It swells and feels uncomfortable and I can just imagine what's happening elsewhere.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist, health care provider, or any other expert by whatever means to figure these things out. I feel it's important for anyone to listen to changes of any sort and sit still and let that small voice inform you. Our instincts are a very big deal and informative. Trust 'em.

My current stress that is ongoing is dealing with oil & gas and pipeline guys. If you ever need to do this save some grief and just get a lawyer. After a year, we'll have one by next Wed and he'll do the fighting, wheeling, dealing. My husband has been doing this (very laid back and smart) and I recently decided to help. Big mistake. My posture is upright and firm (oh no, here comes the Mrs.) and to stand up for what remains of property rights. Damages to our property excites me up pretty good.

Continuing to slay dragons the old way, no matter how righteous I might try to spin it will destroy me. No doubt.

I want to live, and be at peace. I've got to chill. It's time.

Hi,

I usually am on the Stage IV forum, but I very much follow this one too, and am grateful for the ideas presented here.

This article was on Medical News Today on 9/16/10.  Since this topic is dealing with stress, I thought you might find it interesting.  I posted it on the Stage IV forum as well.

Stress Significantly Acclerates Breast Cancer Metastasis In Mice, UCLA Cancer Researchers Show For The First Time

Chronic stress acts as a sort of fertilizer that feeds breast cancer progression, significantly accelerating the spread of disease in animal models, researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have found...

To read the full article, please go to:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/201354.php

You'll probably see me here more often!

Rachael

Hi Victoria and all, I agree about the stress triggering illness, most all of my health problems were triggered by stress related incidences. Ongoing duress, constant stress, emotional or physical  stress also, can really tax the body enough to start a downward spiral of bad body functions, especially the immune system. Consider the adrenal blowout theory also, the triggering of over production of the adrenals which over produce estrogen type chemicals. It truly is a total body thing. No amount of food will do the trick if you have ongoing stress. The only way to address that is by facing what is going on and trying to change our stress addiction,  and what is making our body deteriorate, which we all know is so many different emotional and physical issues.

For instance, I was a US rated volleyball player for years, I ran myself into the ground, a 'no pain no gain' type gal, who loved being exausted with fitness. What I didn't realize was that being out in the harsh sun, and pushing myself took it's toll eventually, having problems with EBV flare ups, [Mono, every time I got exausted] and strep throat often. I looked so fit, no one took it too seriously. But now I know, I should have listened to my body. It only works when you are young.

10 years later, I had melanoma twice, stage 2, now a 18 year survivor of that, no treatment, just lucky so far. How dumb was I to radiate my body in the hot sun during athletics for 20 years and not expect a breakdown of my health? As an athlete I was addicted to stress, I thrived on it, loved pushing myself, and now I realized how stupid that was. I asked too much of this body. Add emotional stress too! Duhhhh...

The Epstein Barr flare ups which were a form of horrible fluelike sore throats and colds, fatigue. Common with athletes who are run down. I ended up with a diagnosis of CFS ,chronic EBV, chronic fatigue syndrome, which I realize now is much more serious than I realized then. What I didn't realize then was that virus has been linked to some breast cancers and Hodgkens Lymphoma. So no surprise that I now have breast cancer and previous melanoma. I wasn't shocked at all.

 After years of research trying to find answers to why I have all this, made me realize that yes, if you don't change the 'stressful life' then you won't get well. Finally I put away all the research, realizing that just reading about cancer caused me stress, and I had to take steps to not allow myself to be a sponge for stress, and especially with others. I had to change how I reacted to stress in my life, and let go of what I can't change, dump others stress, and find a way to find happiness. I did meditation, acupuncture, food changes, I based ALL my decisions on what is best for me, rather than everyone else in my life. I became active again, without pushing myself beyond exaustion. I got my life back for 10 years.

Last 2 years, surrmounting stress, parents ill, sister ill, exaustion again. People expecting too much of me. Bingo, I get breast cancer. I fully believe that we have to look at all stressors in our life before we can get a grip on all this. If we thrive on our stress and become addicted to our own adrenaline the CFS begins, a syndrome of exaustion. I even had to give up reading mystery novels! I kid you not, good stress does the same thing to the body as bad stress. We have to calm down the over production of hormones and brain chemicals. Thats a start.

I wish I had more answers but I don't. Distraction has been something I made myself get good at, to get the mind in a mellow state to block out stress,  and that helps. I'm good at saying no to others  now. It takes some work, like I became a wildlife photographer and hike by myself in the wilderness to free myself from urban stress. The peace that brings me has taught me alot. Dump the stress. It's bad, and I know, my first concern when facing this cancer was geez this is so stressful, how am I going to handle this now? Same thing, distraction, get as far away from it as possible. It really helps. I can even feel my adrenal glands calming down when I do my own form of meditation.

I have also not made any effort with past friends that were difficult friendships. My energy goes totally to myself now. I can't deal with making other peoples lives good for them anymore. They are on their own, and funny thing is, when you stop being their caretakers they don't need you anymore! OK, so needy people are off my list for now, lol. My husband dumps stress on me, I walk away, saying surely you can deal with that dear. ;~) He's learned I am no stomping ground anymore. This has found me some reserve energy. I don't know, I have two more chemos, then done with that. But the plan is to enjoy life fully when I recover. No more a dumping ground for others! Finding myself brings peace to me, which I believe helped me alot healthwise..

I know that sounded harsh, but thats about what I had to do to get my life back. I hope at least one person can relate and my comments help in some way.

Take care of yourselves, dear ladies! I wish you all the best. Get a T-shirt with a dump truck on it, and look at it every time you need to dump stress!

Linda, great post and very well said!

Ladies, I know Stress caused my BC.  I had such a stressful upbringing (things I don't want to get into now) that when my sister and I wore dx with stage 3 and 4 BC I wasn't even surprised.  I suffered for panic attacks most of my life.  Its not what I eat that caused this, Its stress.

Betty

I know that stress played a role in the development of my cancer. I worked a really stressful job in my 20s, followed by marriage and the birth of my first baby at 32. I started suffering massive panic attacks after his birth, and seemed to have developed a generalized anxiety disorder.  I had a miscarriage and lost another baby at 17 weeks, followed by two more births. I still had a lot of anxiety throughout that period. 

 I've really been working on the anxiety, with the help of some close friends and A LOT of exercise. I work out every day, and really feel it if I don't do it.  My friends, who I've grown a lot closer to through this ordeal, have been a real source of support and love for me. I have realized that I had become isolated from girlfriends throughout the early part of my marriage and through the births of my children. I think social support, whether it's from family or friends (my family all live in seperate cities) is VERY important in dealing with stress.

My new motto is to try something every day that makes me ever so slightly uncomfortable or that downright scares me. I used to be a fearless woman, and somewhere along the way, I lost that ability.... so I am reclaiming it now, in hopes that it helps me fight off recurrance.

"A remembered stress, which is only a wisp of thought, releases the same flood of destructive hormones as the stress itself."  - Deepak Chopra

Victoria

A really lovely Asian woman with whom I've had business dealings...and have developed a nice friendship with was also going through rads with me. (small world)  She's been living in Australia for about 8 years now. She was not doing well at all with treatments. Her family had come to Australia to take her back to Hong Kong to have treatments with Chinese herbalists, as she had done all her life -  they felt Western medicine was killing her. I asked her what she was going to do in early 2010 and she said her businesses are doing well and that being triple positive she needed Herceptin and it was free in Australia...so she would stay.  Later on in the year she wasn't doing well, she had lost a lot of weight and wasn't looking healthy at all. Unfortunately she is in an abusive marriage...and has been terribly unhappy on the home front for as long as I've known her. I never once saw her husband during treatment...it was always her sister by her side. A couple of months ago she decided to go to China for treatment...her husband remained in Australia.

Perhaps treatment with a Chinese herbalist may suit her DNA...more than Western medicine.

And then again...if she doesn't address the stresses she is facing at home with her abusive husband...doesn't matter what treatments she is undergoing whether it is Western or traditional Chinese...she may never quite recover.

Don't know...but I wish her all the best...x

Victoria

Ted, thanks for posting. I've definitely noticed that my sleep in impacted by light. When I'm on the computer at night, I have problems falling asleep (even though I was just sitting there, not doing anything).

BTW, the whole concept that stress can lead to cancer is...super stressful! How can I stop that? But I do wonder. I've heard that that treatment outcomes improve when done in conjuction with  mind-body complementary treatments (guided imagery, healing touch, meditation). I wonder if the calming (de-stressing) influence is the key? 

@ peggy_j 

You may find it helpful to download the FREE FLUX program that automatically ajusts the brightness of your PC monitor. It tracks the time of dusk/dawn whereever you live and dims/brightens your screen so it's appropriate for night/daytime use. I find it very helpful as I forget what the time is when I'm online.

I'm sure every approach that reduces stress will be helpful. However I think we need to remember that cortisol is INFLAMMATORY and most adults tend to have very low anti inflammatory reserves. So improving our natural antiinflammatory status is the key to being better able to cope with the inevitable stresses living in the real world creates

 . I started learning about the way omega 3 fatty acids resolve inflammation, I then realized that omega 3 deficiency was only one part of the problem and really we need to reduce omega 6 (pro inflammatory) consumption in order to allow omega 3 the space to work. Vitamin D3 was my next breakthrough and correcting vitamin D3 status with 5000iu/daily/D3 made a big difference, But that lead to the knowledge that as vitamin d raised calcium absorption I also needed to counterbalance that with more magnesium (plenty of calcium in diet and water but insufficient magnesium). But while our bodies are meant to create the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant vitamin D3 through the day, during the evening and at night they are supposed to secrete the anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant melatonin. In paleo times it would have been a continuous process bright light in the moring stopping melatonin secretion and starting D3 production and the reverse at dusk with melatonin secretion taking over when D3 production via UVB exposure ceases. 

. There are also the anti oxidants curcumin (curry) and resveratrol (red wine) that come into the story. So it's a complicated story but I think there is much we can do to improve the anti inflammatory anti oxidant side of the story so when stress hits (and we can never be sure what will happen in the future) we are better able to deal with the inflammation that the raised cortisol creates.

I don't believe that restoring the NATURAL levels of anti inflammatory reserves human DNA evolved to function best with presents any conflict with other treatment regimes. In the same way we would not expect people with food/water deficiency to recover well, so being deficient in the micronutrients omega 3, vitamin d, melatonin, magnesium are bound to impact adversely on the outcomes of  whatever therapy you opt for.   

PS Once again a post of mine has been reported as spam. Everyone with BC must be aware that having BC is not a matter of concern ONLY for the women directly involved. Husbands, partners, male friends all suffer grief at the loss of loved ones and share the stress that those being treated for the cancer suffer. Recently a dear friend of mine was diagnosed and the treatment wasn't successful. The stress of the diagnosis and treatment led to her mother having a stroke and as a direct result developed Alzheimer's, The mother died weeks after the daughters funeral, the husband commited suicide a few months later.

We all need to understand better how our bodies/minds deal with stress and understanding how Cortisol causes inflammation and how our body's are currently deficient in the anti-inflammatory resources required to resolve that inflammation is fundamental to being able to deal with stress.