Modern day life and activities has made stress an inseparable part of our lives. Whether you are stuck in a traffic jam, are burdened with office workload, or worrying about a friend’s health, stress can be felt in these everyday moments. Chronic stress arises from situations without a clear end result such as coping with a terminal or life-threatening illness. It is no different in the case of cancer too. From the time of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, many cancer patients are plagued with worry and stress. It may be reflected as intense emotional, psychological, or even physical stress. Stress plays a great role in cancer recovery and outcomes as the mind and body are interconnected. In this blog, we have tried to understand this relationship in order to find a more meaningful and holistic approach to cancer treatment and recovery while managing stress.
Link between stress and cancer
Stress is the body’s natural response to handling challenging situations but prolonged chronic stress can affect the body in deeper ways. On-going studies and research are trying to find the link between chronic stress and cancer development and whether it interferes with cancer treatment. Cancer cells mostly grow and divide by escaping the body’s immune system checks. Normally, a healthy immune system identifies and destroys abnormal cells before they turn cancerous. In the event of having a weakened immune system, these biological checks are bypassed by the abnormal cells, giving them an opportunity to cause cancer.
Stress also causes release of stress hormones (e.g. epinephrine and norepinephrine) that cause inflammation which in turn creates an environment where cancer cells thrive. Stress may also contribute to cancer recurrence. The norepinephrine released as part of the body’s fight-or-flight response activates neutrophils, a type of immune cells which can aid the dormant tumor cells to grow actively, causing cancer recurrence.
How stress affects cancer treatment
Stress also affects how cancer treatment works. For instance, a person undergoing immunotherapy may suffer from emotional distress. Emotional distress acts as a barrier for the body’s immune response to work well. As a result, the treatment outcomes of immunotherapy are not as well projected as expected. Chronic stress may cause the release of glucocorticoids, a class of steroid hormones which inhibit tumor cell death called apoptosis while also causing metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy treatment.
Ways to cope with stress
Learning to manage your stress levels is important for faster recovery from cancer. Given below are some ways to manage stress effectively:
1. Be physically active: Studies have shown that there is a strong association between staying physically active and stress management. Starting your day with some form of exercise such as brisk walking, cycling, jogging, Zumba, or aerobics can effectively lower stress levels by the release of stress-reducing hormones called endorphins.
2. Practice meditation: Meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises can calm the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques give your mind a break from stress, making calmness prevail. This triggers your body to make it less hospitable to cancer growth.
3. Reach out to professionals: If you feel you are unable to manage your stress levels on your own, it is advisable to reach out to mental health professionals such as a psychologist or counsellor. Having a circle of caring friends and family members who can offer you emotional and mental support is vital.
4. Maintain a regular sleep pattern: Giving your body and mind the much needed rest through adequate sleep is very important. Try to get between 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep every night.
Recovery from cancer is a complex journey that goes much beyond medical treatments. While undergoing cancer treatment is necessary, the influence of stress on the body cannot be overlooked. If you feel more irritable, lack the energy you once had, or are sleeping fitfully, it could be the signs of stress. Taking small, meaningful steps can make a big difference to your stress levels through professional guidance, strong social support, or practising mindfulness or physical activities. Addressing stress is not just about improving the quality of life but about supporting the body’s ability to heal.