Can Emotional Stress Cause Cancer? “ Thoughts On Life And Love | Mental Health Therapy

While health experts are still sorting out whether stress actually causes cancer, I believe that emotional stress definitely exacerbates and encourages cancer cells to grow.

During my time as a therapist over the last 20 years I have notice a distinct pattern whereby individuals who are suffering extreme emotional distress, over a period of time, and do not have suitable outlets, tend to be more susceptible to cancer.

Typical examples include victims of domestic abuse. I have witnessed many victims of ongoing domestic abuse become ill with cancer. My theory is that continuous gaslighting and living in a constant state of fear causes the bodies cells to behave atypically. Chronic stress exposure disrupts the homeostatic communication between the neuroendocrine and immune systems, shifting immune signaling toward a proinflammatory state. Stress-induced chronic low-grade inflammation and a decline in immune surveillance are both implicated in cancer development and progression.

The recent news about Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis as well as the diagnosis of King Charles reminded me again of the connection between emotional stress and cancer.