How stress affects cancer risk

What to know about stress and cancer

Chronic stress has a profound effect on how your body’s systems function. Researchers have been studying whether chronic stress can contribute to cancer development or interfere with cancer treatment.

Much of this research looks at the hallmarks of cancer. These are key biological processes cancer cells use to grow and survive. One major hallmark is evading the immune system.

A healthy immune system identifies and destroys abnormal cells before they turn into cancer. But chronic stress can weaken this natural defense, making it harder for your body to keep abnormal cells in check.

Another hallmark of cancer is inflammation. Persistent inflammation creates an environment where cancer cells can grow and spread more easily. Stress hormones contribute to inflammation, which helps cancer cells thrive.

It usually takes more than one hallmark for cancer to grow. The concern is that chronic stress can activate many of them at once.

So, while chronic stress may not directly cause cancer, it can shape a biological environment that makes it easier for cancer to develop.

Stress and cancer treatment

Stress also plays a role during cancer treatment.

A recent study examined how emotional distress negatively impacted melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy. Emotional distress hinders the body’s immune responses. Cancer patients in the study who had emotional distress did not respond as well to immunotherapy as patients who were less stressed. 

Another study explored how stress may influence cancer recurrence. Stress hormones can cause neutrophils to release certain proteins that trigger inflammation in the body. These proteins activate a substance called myeloperoxidase, which leads to a buildup of oxidized lipids inside neutrophils. When these lipids are released from the neutrophils, they stimulate the growth of cancer cells, causing them to wake up from dormancy and form new cancers.

Aside from cancer, chronic stress can also increase your risk of heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety and depression.

Find healthy ways to manage stress

Even if you can’t get rid of the source of your stress, you can learn to manage it. This can help you create resilience. You cannot remove stress from your life, so resilience can help prevent minor sources of stress from lingering to a point where they’re affecting your health.

Try these tips to help reduce stress.

Seek emotional support

Talk to a professional, such as a psychologist or social work counselor, who can teach you healthy ways to manage your stress. MD Anderson patients and caregivers have access to a social work counselor as well as support groups.

You may also consider sharing your feelings with loved ones or close friends who can offer support.

Practice relaxation techniques

Try deep-breathing exercises, meditation or yoga to help reduce stress levels. These are evidence-based activities that give your mind a break from stress, promote a sense of calm and influence the cancer hallmarks, making your body less hospitable to cancer growth.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Exercise regularly, eat healthy foods and prioritize getting enough sleep every night.

• Regular exercise supports your whole body, including your immune system. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.
• Aim to fill at least two-thirds of your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Limit red meat and focus on lean protein like chicken, fish and beans. Avoid processed meats like bacon and deli meats.
• Avoid all tobacco products. The toxins and nicotine in cigarettes, vapes and other products can make depression and anxiety worse.
• For cancer prevention, it’s best not to drink alcohol. Alcohol contains ethanol that your body breaks down into acetaldehyde, a cancer-causing substance that causes DNA damage. Alcohol also increases inflammation, which can promote cancer development.
• Try to get between 7 and 9 hours of restful sleep per night. Sleep helps us to better manage stress.

Doing these things will help keep your body and mind in good shape, which can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Always take stress seriously

It’s important to understand the negative consequences of chronic stress, especially when it comes to your cancer risk and how it can affect cancer treatment.

If you feel crankier than usual, lack the energy you once had or are sleeping poorly, those could all be signs of stress. Take steps now to manage your stress, so it doesn’t affect your health in more serious ways later.

Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., is director of MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Program. Anil Sood, M.D., is a gynecologic oncologist at MD Anderson.

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