How Chronic Stress Promotes Spread of Cancer, and What You Can Do About It

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Story at-a-glance -

  • Psychological stress causes inflammation, which is a hallmark of most diseases, from obesity and diabetes to heart disease and cancer. Having effective stress management tools is therefore important for optimal health
  • The stress hormone norepinephrine can increase the growth rate of cancer; epinephrine has also been found to cause changes in certain cancer cells that make them resistant to cell death

By Dr. Mercola


Six years ago, I interviewed Donald ("Donnie") Yance, an internationally known herbalist and nutritionist, who shared a really surprising piece of information: stress was actually pinned down as a cause of cancer all the way back in 1908. As Donnie said:

"Eli Jones, the great eclectic physician in cancer, and probably the most brilliant person that ever lived on the face of the planet, wrote a book in 1908 called "Cancer - Its Causes, Symptoms and Treatment." There isn't one inaccuracy I can find in that book, written more than 100 years ago."


Chronic Stress Makes Cancer Spread


"Although the study hasn't been replicated in humans as yet, it's a huge step towards understanding how stress - which has long been linked to cancer progression - actually helps tumour cells escape...

"Not for a minute are we suggesting that someone who's just been diagnosed with cancer should not be stressed, because that would have to be one of the most stressful situations"... Erica Sloan from Monash University in Australia, told ABC News.2


How Does Stress Promote the Spread of Cancer?



The National Cancer Institute has also previously stated that research with animal models suggests:3


Other research4,5 has shown that the stress hormone norepinephrine may increase the growth rate of cancer.







Work Stress Increases Your Risk For Heart Disease

Not surprisingly, psychological stress can also take a toll on your heart. As revealed in the documentary film "Of Hearts and Minds," your heart actually contains neurons, similar to those in your brain, and your heart and brain are closely connected, creating a symbiotic whole.

One factor that causes a significant amount of stress for many is their job, and according to recent research,7 there's a dose-dependent relationship between the number of hours you put in each week and your risk for developing heart disease. As reported by The New York Times:8




Stress Levels Continue to Rise in the US


More recently, between 2014 and 2015 the average stress levels rose from 4.9 to 5.1 on a 10-point stress scale, according to the American Psychological Association. The greatest increase was noted among adults reporting being under "extreme stress." This category rose from 18 percent to 24 percent.


Another work stress survey from 2013 showed that 8 in 10 Americans are stressed about their jobs.10 Tied as the No. 1 stressor were poor compensation and unreasonable workloads. Discrimination — whether real or anticipated — is also a major source of stress for many.

As reported by Time Magazine:11



Is Your Stress Ruining Your Adrenal Function?

Chronic stress also taxes your adrenals, which can lead to adrenal fatigue. Hormones produced by your adrenal glands control a number of bodily functions, including your "fight or flight" response to stress. Once adrenal fatigue sets in, your resilience to stress may falter or give out completely, making you hypersensitive to even minor stressors that normally wouldn't throw you off.

Oftentimes anxiety and panic attacks are an indication that you need adrenal support.12 Common factors that put excess stress on your adrenals include:

  • Overwork, including physical or mental strain
  • Chronic inflammation, infection, illness or pain


The test results come back with a very comprehensive analysis and colorful graphics. The test can be obtained at It's what I use to check my own adrenal function.


Conquer Your Stress with Energy Psychology

Since psychological stress plays such a significant role in health, addressing your emotions is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Stress is an inescapable part of life for most people, but it's important to understand that it is how you deal with it that will determine whether it will translate into health problems later on.

As noted in a recent article about stress in The New York Times,13 the stress reaction should dissipate as quickly as possible after the perceived danger has passed. The scientific term for this is resilience — "the ability of your body to rapidly return to normal, both physically and emotionally, after a stressful event."

Stress management tools such as breathing exercises can help you develop greater resilience against stress. Another favorite is the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). It's an energy psychology tool that can help reprogram your body's reactions to everyday stress, thereby reducing your chances of developing adverse health effects. It's similar to acupuncture, which is based on the concept that a vital energy flows through your body along invisible pathways known as meridians.

EFT stimulates different energy meridian points in your body by tapping them with your fingertips, while simultaneously using custom-made verbal affirmations. This can be done alone or under the supervision of a qualified therapist.14 By doing so, you reprogram the way your body responds to emotional stressors. Since these stressors are usually connected to physical problems, many people's diseases and other symptoms can improve or disappear as well.


Reframing Stressful Events


  • Novelty
  • Unpredictability
  • Threat perception
  • Sense of no control

One psychological tool that can help you change your response to a stressful event is known as "reframing." As noted by Chris Kresser, a licensed acupuncturist interested in functional medicine and stress-reduction principles:15

"Let's say you lose your job. If you perceive that event as a sign of your worthlessness and an indicator that you'll never be successful, I think you can imagine how your body will respond (it won't be fun!). But what if you saw the loss of your job as an opportunity to pursue a longtime dream that you've ignored and a chance for a fresh start?

In this case, losing your job would be unlikely to trigger a harmful stress response and may even be a source of "eustress," or positive stress.


Reframing Tips and Tricks


  • Question your thoughts. Just because you think it doesn't mean it's real or accurate. Oftentimes our thoughts reveal more about our ingrained belief systems than actual reality, so you can choose to not believe every thought that crosses your mind.
  • Expand your time horizon. Ask yourself whether this event will actually matter a month, a year, or a decade from now. Do you think you'll even remember it?

Other Stress Management Techniques




Tai Chi and Qi Gong: While the evidence is limited, one 2014 meta-analysis17 found that tai chi can help ameliorate depression and anxiety, improve psychological well-being, and provide general stress management

Regular physical activity




Social connectedness

Laughter and levity

Spend time in nature


Schedule time to have fun