Chronic psychological stress and its impact on the development of aggressive breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological findings of women diagnosed with breast cancer and study the impact of chronic psychological stress on the pathological characteristics of these tumors.Methods We investigated a cohort composed of women diagnosed with breast cancer and divided into two groups. One group was categorized as presenting with chronic psychological stress (by using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire − SRQ-20). Another group of women with breast cancer, but with no previous history of chronic psychological stress, comprised the Control Group. Clinical and pathological data were assessed.Results Women presenting with a history of chronic distress were significantly overweight when compared to the Control Group. Furthermore, it was observed that these stressed women also had a significant percentage of aggressive breast cancer subtype, the HER2 amplified tumor, which could be putatively associated with the loss of immunosurveillance.Conclusion Our findings suggested an interaction among chronic psychological stress, overweight, and the development of more aggressive breast tumors.

Elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines potentially correlate with depression and anxiety in colorectal cancer patients in different stages of the antitumor therapy

“…A total of 60 patients of both genders aged over 18 years old was selected by convenience sampling at the Clinical Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto. The minimum sample size (n = 20) was estimated according to cytokine plasma levels found in a pilot trial conducted by our group (SD = 0.3897114320), and those reported in previous studies [19][20][21][22][23]. The Control group was composed of 20 healthy volunteers free of any psychiatric or immune system disease.…”

An investigation of the relationship between social support and coping with stress in women with breast cancer

“…Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Turkey, as in the world . After women are diagnosed with breast cancer, anxiety, depression, and stress levels increase . In a meta‐analysis examining stress and breast cancer, it was determined that it was not possible to exclude highly intensive stress from risk factors for breast cancer …”

“…2 After women are diagnosed with breast cancer, anxiety, depression, and stress levels increase. 3,4 In a meta-analysis examining stress and breast cancer, it was determined that it was not possible to exclude highly intensive stress from risk factors for breast cancer. 5Cancer is itself a cause of stress, and factors that contribute to stress in patients with cancer involve the perceived lower body image, sexual identity, ability of reproduction, physiology, and quality of life.…”

O estresse em universitários de enfermagem e sua relação com fatores pessoais e ambientais

“…A ativação da resposta ao estresse é uma forma que o organismo encontra para preservação da vida, sobrevivência e adaptação, levando o organismo a um estado de alerta, com objetivo de lidar com situações urgentes (COOK et al, 2012;LIPP, 1996). Todavia, há evidências de que o estresse está relacionado ao adoecimento, podendo causar cardiopatias, alguns tipos de câncer, infertilidade feminina, úlceras, insônia, obesidade e hipertensão (CORMANIQUE et al, 2015;FARAVELLI et al, 2010;FOSS;DYRSTAD, 2011;GRADVOHL;OSIS;MAKUCH, 2013;GRAEFF;ZANGROSSI JUNIOR, 2010;PERSE, 2013;ROBAINA et al, 2009;KELLER;COELHO, 2013;JASIULIONIS, 2014).…”

“…Estudos sobre o estresse identificaram nesta resposta orgânica quatro fases: alarme, resistência, quase exaustão e exaustão (LIPP, 2000;SELYE, 1950). E apontam relevantes prejuízos à saúde, causados pelo estresse prolongado, tais como desordens alimentares, depressão, ansiedade, insônia, baixa imunidade, hipertensão arterial, entre outros (COHEN et al, 2012;CORMANIQUE et al, 2015;FARAVELLI et al, 2010;FOSS;DYRSTAD, 2011;GRADVOHL;OSIS;MAKUCH, 2013;GRAEFF;ZANGROSSI JUNIOR, 2010;PERSE, 2013;ROBAINA et al, 2009;KELLER;COELHO, 2013;JASIULIONIS, 2014).…”