Cancer and Stress: Understanding the Connections and Interventions
Author: Stacy D D'Andre1, Lisa L Ellsworth2, Janae L Kirsch3, Heather N Montane1, Margaret B Kruger1, Kristine A Donovan3, Carrie A Bronars3, Svetomir N Markovic1, Shawna L Ehlers3
Affiliation:
1 Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA (SDD, HNM, MBK, SNM).
2 Department of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA (LLE).
3 Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA (JLK, KAD, CAB, SLE).
Conference/Journal: Am J Lifestyle Med
Date published: 2024 Dec 6
Other:
Pages: 15598276241304373 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/15598276241304373. , Word Count: 172
Stress is ubiquitous in our modern society and contributes to many disease states. This narrative review describes the effect of stress/distress on cancer development and progression. Seminal randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews/meta-analyses, and distress management guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the Society for Integrative LinearOncology (SIO) are highlighted. We describe the physiological effects of distress, distress assessment, and management. Psychological treatments are summarized. Evidence-based lifestyle modifications and integrative therapies are reviewed in detail, including mindfulness-based techniques, yoga, guided imagery, breathing techniques, hypnosis, exercise, music therapy, qigong/Tai Chi, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and improving sleep and heart rate variability. Recognition and treatment of distress can improve quality of life. More research is needed to determine the effects of managing distress on cancer outcomes, as well as the best type and duration of intervention, noting that the benefits of interventions may be specific for patients with different cancer types.
Keywords: cancer; distress; integrative; lifestyle; stress.
PMID: 39651486 PMCID: PMC11624519 DOI: 10.1177/15598276241304373
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