Stress-Response

Chronic Stress Response: Nonspecific & Specific Defense Systems

• immunosuppression has been linked to in an increase in disease

  • in animals, clear link between chronic stress and cancer; chronic stress can increase the likelihood that tumors will develop in animals and also speed the growth of tumors
  • in humans, some limited evidence suggesting a relationship between life stressors and increased cancer risk: one episode of major depression can increase cancer risk for decades afterward (independent of age, diet, smoking and other risk factors)
  • however, other studies have not shown a consistent relationship between stress in humans and the development of cancer; it has been suggested that not all tumors may respond favorably to stress, and that many of the human studies are limited by requiring either the sick individual or their families to recall the individual�s history of stressors (retrospective analyses)
  • in humans, though, there is reasonably good evidence that chronic stress can increase the likelihood of developing the common cold

Previous slide

Next slide

Back to first slide

View graphic version