Cancerwise

Stress is a normal part of life. You feel it when you’re preparing for the holidays, stuck in traffic or worrying about a friend’s health. While short-term stress isn’t concerning, stress that lingers for weeks or months may make it hard for you to stay healthy.

Chronic stress comes from situations with no clear end point, such as caring for a sick loved one or coping with a life-threatening illness.

Here, we’ll explain how chronic stress – that is, long-term stress – can influence your risk for cancer and affect your body’s response to cancer treatment.