Depression And Cancer: What Relationship?
Some scientific studies indicate that there may be a relationship between depression and cancer: people who have depressive symptoms for a long time are more likely to die from cancer.
Is there really a link between depression and cancer?
Depression is the result of interactions of varying complexity, between social, psychological and biological factors. This pathology usually appears as a result of various alterations in various areas of life.
The repetition of numerous cycles of depressive stages can generate the appearance of other health risk factors. Some recent studies indicate that one of them could be cancer.
The relationship between depression and cancer
Several studies have linked depression with an increased chance of getting sick from different types of cancer. In the study that we already mentioned at the beginning of the article, carried out in the United Kingdom, the analysis of the medical records of more than 160,000 adults led to the following conclusions:
- There are many people who often suffer from psychological problems.
- They are found to have a greater propensity to die of pancreatic, prostate or colon cancer.
It has absolutely not been proven that this is a cause-and-effect link. The researchers wanted to clarify that this is a study that presents only statistical conclusions.
More Depression Studies
These latest studies add to a good number of researches that were already moving in this direction. The interactions between physical and mental health have already been studied several times.
For example, there is clear and comprehensive evidence that there is a strong relationship between symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders and the onset of cardiovascular disease.
Hormonal imbalances
The explanation for this relationship between cancer and depression is that the hormonal imbalance caused by the latter leads to an increased production of cortisol. Furthermore, natural DNA repair mechanisms are inhibited, a condition that weakens the defenses against the tumor.
Another important factor is that depressed people are more prone to alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity. As we all know, these are three risk factors for cancer.
Psychological stress and depression
We suffer from psychological stress when we get upset in the face of mental, physical and emotional pressures. It is not a bad sign to occasionally suffer from psychological stress. Being subject to this condition for a long time and continuously, however, can have serious consequences for mental and physical health.
When such stressful episodes occur, the body reacts by releasing cortisol. These hormones increase blood pressure, speed up the heart rate and increase the concentration of sugar in the blood.
While these physiological changes allow us to have more energy to deal with this stress, in reality they also pose a health risk in the long run .
Diseases and pathologies derived from stress
It has been shown that the so-called chronic stress, if prolonged over time and particularly intense, can cause urinary, digestive and fecundity problems and alter the immune system.
At the same time, chronic stress sufferers are more prone and vulnerable to common diseases. This is the case, for example, of the flu, colds, headaches and insomnia, as well as anxiety and depression itself.
Stress management and cancer diagnosis
People who have already been diagnosed with cancer need to learn how to keep psychological stress and depression under control. It is important to have emotional and social support. This will help reduce anxiety, the effects of depression, and any disease-related symptoms that can contract due to lowered immune defenses.
Methods for keeping depression and stress under control
Among the different ways in which we can fight stress and depression, there are some very effective mental techniques : this is the case of yoga, meditation and different relaxation techniques, which help reduce psychological stress.
Finally, it must be remembered that the practice of sport or exercise, combined with a healthy diet and a good rest, is a very effective habit against stress.
