Stress, the Immune System and Cancer: Too Many Connections to Ignore
From the office of Dr. Laurence Magne, author of www.Cancer-free-for-life.com
For most people, receiving the news that they have cancer is one of the most stressful days of their lives. Problematically the relationships between stress, the immune system and cancer aren’t the most friendly possible.
The technical aspects of the relationship between increased stress and the immune system functions are complex and not completely understood by scientists. This is mainly because our immune system, like most of our bodily systems, is extremely complex.
However, a 2004 meta-analysis was conducted by Suzanne Segerstrom, Ph.D., and Gregory Miller, Ph.D. They reviewed nearly 300 hundred studies conducted over the previous 30 years helps to put the relationship between stress and the immune system into perspective.
Short term stress has actually been shown to cause a temporary increase in the functions of the immune system. This is probably a side effect of the “flight-or-fight” syndrome and the immune system boosts itself in preparation for dealing with infections or trauma. To read more on how stress can cause cancer, read Cancer Free For Life.
The interaction between long-term stress and the immune system, however, is not nearly as positive. When a person is exposed to this type of chronic stress, a decline can be seen in almost every facet of the immune system.
The most damage to the immune system seems to occur when a patient is faced with a situation that appear hopeless and beyond their control. The longer this stress is maintained, the more detrimental immune system adaptations occur. These negative adaptations occur both in the cellular immunity and wider-ranging immune system functions.
This situation is certainly descriptive of the response most people experience when they are diagnosed with cancer. Traditionally, they are they then exposed to treatments which have been shown to cause further damage to the immune system. In many ways, this makes traditional treatments twice as dangerous: causing stress and independently damaging immune system deficiencies.
It’s becoming scientifically verifiable that stress, the immune system and cancer become a nasty cycle, one leading to the next leading to the next.
Anyone diagnosed with cancer should explore all potential treatment therapies, especially those that do not impose greater stress on their already weakened immune system. Dietary changes can have a remarkable impact on boosting the immune system and battling cancer.
Many lifestyle modifications can help reduce the tension in a person’s life: one of the best, and easiest, methods is meditation which has an extremely positive effect on stress, the immune system and cancer.
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About the Author
My name is Laurence Magne, Ph D(c). For the past 25 years, I have been involved in the field of health and health research, investigating the reasons why we get sick, and whether we can get well outside of the medical field, using alternative solutions. I have read over 3,000 books on the related topics, counseled many clients and conducted many lectures and trainings.
I have developed unique techniques derived from the Lozanov method of Suggestopedia. I coach people just like you in acquiring and developing their skills to enhance their own natural healing ability, and to reach deep within so they can operate at peak recovery and healing levels.
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