Can stress cause cancer?

It is difficult to talk about the relationship between stress and cancer. Firstly, because the topic of oncology in society remains largely taboo, despite the significant progress of recent years, when serious and generally accessible books about cancer have appeared, written from the perspective of patients, not physicians. Secondly, because scientists do not have a common opinion on this matter, and supporters of different views often react sharply and painfully to the opinions of their opponents. Thirdly, there is a great danger of scaring or, conversely, giving false hope. And yet such a conversation is necessary, and attempts to start it have been made more than once. For example, the American oncologist Carl Simonton (O. Carl Simonton) in the 1970s was actively interested in the psychological conditions and possible causes of the diseases of his patients. His observations are set forth in a number of books, such as Psychotherapy for Cancer.¹and confirmed by many studies. Nevertheless, the views of Carl Simonton did not become dominant in science and medicine. The French psychologist Yvane Wiart tried to draw attention to the possible connection between stress and cancer again (see more on p. 48). She has reviewed hundreds of scientific studies that have looked at the relationship between stress, personality, and health. And she concluded that psychological causes can be the source of physiological mechanisms that create the prerequisites for cancer. Ivana Viar’s book Stress and Cancer When Our Attachment Plays Tricks on Us² provoked a violent reaction in the scientific world. World-famous oncologists accused the author of almost quackery. But why, while recognizing psychosomatics as a phenomenon, are we not ready to talk about the possible psychosomatic nature of some oncological diseases?

Objective difficulties

There are many explanations. Even if we assume that the link between stress and cancer exists, it must be proven. And to do this is extremely difficult for a number of quite objective reasons. “We are forced to build connections retroactively, already having a diagnosis,” notes oncopsychologist Vyacheslav Janston. — You can not put a person in a state of «before the disease.» And so we remain in the realm of conjecture. I, like probably any of my colleagues, are able to identify some of the psychological traits that my patients have in common. But it is very difficult to say whether they are the cause of cancer or, conversely, a consequence. Sophie Gourgou-Bourgade, biostatistician at the Institute of Cancer in Montpellier (France), also points to methodological problems: “Cancer is a very delayed event that becomes visible on average 8 years after the onset of the disease. And to organize studies that would track the lives of thousands of people for years is difficult and very expensive.” There are also ethical issues. No one will allow scientists to deliberately introduce volunteers into a state of stress. Especially if this stress can cause cancer in the future. And finally, the very concept of stress is also interpreted extremely broadly. It would be nice to start with what kind of stress we are talking about.

• “So I heard the diagnosis:“ cancer ”

What kind of stress is dangerous?

“One of the theories of the origin of cancer is that the cells that provoke the development of tumors are produced in our body all the time,” says oncologist Denis Romanov. – But up to a certain point, the immune system successfully copes with them. However, in a state of stress, when the immune system is weakened, the disease has a chance to develop. Moreover, it can be both psycho-emotional and physical stress, for example, caused by acclimatization. Denis Romanov had to observe arguments in favor of this theory more than once in his work: patients who successfully underwent treatment and returned to a full life, after suffering stress, faced relapses of the disease. “It cannot be ruled out that the primary disease is also associated with the stress that stress factors have on the immune system,” notes Denis Romanov. “For 35 years I have observed thousands of patients and I cannot help noticing that most of them had a psychological drama in the years that preceded the manifestation of cancer,” David Khayat, one of the leading French oncologists, unequivocally states. Does this mean that everyone who goes through difficult emotional moments will definitely get cancer? Of course no. It’s just that in the sequence of events that led to the disease, some elements may not be of a physical nature (and be associated with bad habits or environmental factors), but of an emotional, spiritual nature. And it is up to each of us to realize this and find a solution to the problem of stress in our lives.”

Vyacheslav Janston fully shares this idea. At the same time, he emphasizes that psychological stress can be different. It is one thing to experience a shock, a grief of loss, or a sudden tragic event. And quite another is the tension that has accumulated over the years, associated with the inability not only to express, but often even to realize one’s experiences. “Oncopsychologists often refer to cancer as the “disease of unresolved resentment.” This means that negative experiences, having no way out, can at some point cause a bodily reaction — the growth of a tumor, he explains. – For example, we face stress factors for a long time, day after day. Let’s say we suffer from difficult relationships at work or in the family and have no way to do anything about it. Such stress, I think, is much more harmful than the stress caused by a sudden tragedy. Because how to deal with trauma, psychology is more or less known. The stages of experiencing grief are described, their mechanism is quite obvious, and by going through these stages — better, of course, with the help of a psychologist — you can maintain both mental and physical health. But small, accumulating stress is the very case when access to experiences may simply not be.

• Good deeds relieve stress

reach out to yourself

There are other reasons why neither psychologists nor doctors dare to talk about the connection between stress and cancer. One of them is that the statement of such a connection will frighten many people who live in a state of stress and are aware of it. This fear is an additional burden on the psyche, and possibly on the immune system. A vicious circle emerges.

Another problem is that in many cases, cancer patients, having believed in the mental nature of their illness, sought salvation from non-traditional healers and shamans, sang mantras and meditated, while timely medical intervention would be much more effective. “About a third of my patients associate their illness with stress or tragic events in life,” says Denis Romanov. – Of course, I can neither confirm nor deny this connection. And I do not mind if they turn to psychologists for help or, for example, go to church. But it is important to do without excesses. The approach to treatment should be comprehensive, and medicine cannot be replaced only by psychological methods of work or spiritual practices.” And yet, Vyacheslav Janston is sure that we all should be more attentive to our experiences. “Our society, our whole life today is very stressful,” he recalls. – And the very way of this life makes us lock in ourselves a set of emotions that do not contribute to success at work and harmony in the family. But they cannot be hidden. They need to be dealt with, acknowledged and given a way out.”

¹ K. Simonton, S. Simonton «Psychotherapy for Cancer» (Peter, 2001).

² Y. Wiart “Stress and Cancer, when our attachment plays tricks on us” (De Boeck, 2014).