In the end of 2016, an Australian research study revealed that too much stress in life can trigger the cancer cells to multiply and spread throughout the body rapidly. The research’s basic premise was that stress puts the lymphatic system in motion; making is easier for cancer cells to spread throughout the system in the blood. The study applied to breast cancer cells only.
There have been many previous studies that argued that stress increased one’s chances of developing cancer, but none of those provided sufficient evidence to prove the hypothesis. True, stress makes one take on habits such as smoking and drinking, but to say that it gives you cancer is wrong.
But this new study, conducted on mice, has revealed that although it may not causes cancer by itself, it does play an important role in spreading it.
The study was conducted at the Monash University under the proficient Dr Erica Sloan, cancer biologist, and her team of experts. The purpose of the study was to see how stress drove metastasis –the dispersion of cancer cell from a tumour. A group of mice were the participants. According to Dr Sloan, stress sent out a signal to the tumour cells allowing them to spread throughout the system after escaping from the cancer. She believed that stress acted like a fertilizer that helped tumour cells claim their dominance over the body and colonize other organs.
Many previous studies had already revealed that cancer cells spread through the lymphatic system, what stress did was transforming the network and making it s superhighway so that the cancer cells travel at faster speeds.
During the experiment, a group of mice with cancer cells in them were put into confined spaces so that they could mimic the same emotional and psychological effected we humans portray when we are stressed out. Their every movement was observed and recorded throughout the study. At the same time, another group of mice with cancer cells were also put to test, minus the confined spaces. Their movements were also marked. After the experiment, a comparison was made between the two groups. The data showed that the spreading of cancer cells in mice that were confined was 6 times more rapid than the other group.
Higher stress levels were what triggered metastasis. The evidence is highly relatable to humans too. As soon as one received their cancer diagnosis, they are bound to feel a little stressed out. Although promising cancer treatment information may seem helpful, it can’t completely negate it.
But the same research revealed that’s stress-relief medication may be helpful. It may not reverse the spreading but will surely keep it under control. Those who don’t wish to rely on medication can indulge themselves in a number of uplifting activities such as spending times with loved ones, visiting new places, becoming part of a community project, volunteering for a good cause, or relax and watch whales or any other passive wildlife or nature viewing.
All of these activities are truly engaging and offer a sense of belongingness. That is just what any cancer patient needs. They wish to lead a simple life that doesn’t remind them about the cancer.
Updated:
