Cancer triggers

Tethys41 said:

I read a lot of the research from the alternative and integrative fields. It is pretty well known, in that areana, that a deep emotional blow can trigger the development of cancer within the next few years. I can see the emotional pain that lead to mine, and the stress that was so prevelant in my life for the 9 months prior to diagnosis.

I have always believed that stress is a trigger for cancer
Just before my silent symptoms started I had three traumatic events happen all at once and I do believe that kick started this horrible disease. It isn't 't the only factor but an important link.
Colleen

STRESS FOR SURE
Tina, I definitely believe stress can cause a host of problems, not the least of which is disease. My first DX I believe it was related to my previous history with endometriosis. That's a whole other subject. But I had a recurrance in 2006. In 2004 my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. Surgeries, chemo, stroke, my sister and I became her caregivers. I wouldn't have changed a thing to be with my mother during this time, but it was stressful nonetheless. After her passing, I sank myself into taking care of her estate (I was her executor). While I thought keeping occupied would help me to deal with her death, all it did was delay coming to grips with it. To make matters worse, we were having trouble with our youngest daugther at the time (thankfully now, that has been resolved). In addition to that, I received a great deal of grief from my only sister and her two boys, my dear nephews. They questioned everything I did, even though it was all according to my mother's wishes. I had always heard that sometimes people get strange and change when a family member dies, but I said, 'not in my family'. I never would have believed it. The next two years were unreal. So, in 2006 when I was diagnosed with a recurrance, I had no doubt my stress levels contributed. Now, could I have had lingering cells that were not erradicated with chemo? Possibly. But I know how my body feels dragged down with stress, more than if I had run a marathon.

You certainly have had your share of difficulties, Tina. Our immune system is definitely affected by stress. I share in your assessment. By the way, I know what you mean by physically feeling a 'broken heart'. When my mother passed, I thought for sure my heart would stop beating. Since then, the Lord has given me strength and peace regarding the whole situation.

(((HUGS)))
Monika

STRESS FOR SURE
Tina, I definitely believe stress can cause a host of problems, not the least of which is disease. My first DX I believe it was related to my previous history with endometriosis. That's a whole other subject. But I had a recurrance in 2006. In 2004 my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. Surgeries, chemo, stroke, my sister and I became her caregivers. I wouldn't have changed a thing to be with my mother during this time, but it was stressful nonetheless. After her passing, I sank myself into taking care of her estate (I was her executor). While I thought keeping occupied would help me to deal with her death, all it did was delay coming to grips with it. To make matters worse, we were having trouble with our youngest daugther at the time (thankfully now, that has been resolved). In addition to that, I received a great deal of grief from my only sister and her two boys, my dear nephews. They questioned everything I did, even though it was all according to my mother's wishes. I had always heard that sometimes people get strange and change when a family member dies, but I said, 'not in my family'. I never would have believed it. The next two years were unreal. So, in 2006 when I was diagnosed with a recurrance, I had no doubt my stress levels contributed. Now, could I have had lingering cells that were not erradicated with chemo? Possibly. But I know how my body feels dragged down with stress, more than if I had run a marathon.

You certainly have had your share of difficulties, Tina. Our immune system is definitely affected by stress. I share in your assessment. By the way, I know what you mean by physically feeling a 'broken heart'. When my mother passed, I thought for sure my heart would stop beating. Since then, the Lord has given me strength and peace regarding the whole situation.

(((HUGS)))
Monika

stress
Yes, I believe it too. For the past, at least two years prior to diagnosis I was under immense stress with job situation.hate, hate, hate my job and have searched for another but when you are in your 50's they dont come so easily. Now I am sick and attribute my cancer to the very place i work that now thinks I am just fine to come back to work and why do I need continuous leave?? I have been told that when the FMLA runs out, "they won't fire me right away" but I better be thinking towards coming back. So this is what I have been dealing with, while off, while starting chemo and THEY STILL CONTINUE TO PILE ON THE STRESS!!!! So now, how much of a chance do I have to recup, beat it and keep it from coming back under these circumstances, as oppossed to NOT having to worry about it all at all!!. Everyday I stew and pace and stress about the place I work. I dont want to go back, but I dont want them to fire me either. UGH, Sometimes I hate this world we live in

Tethys41 said:

Stress and Stress Management
Stress sucks. I realize this will not be a well received statement in our current, victimhood society, but, as hard as it is to believe, and accept, stress is all in the way you perceive the situation. I've had to adopt many stress management techniques and have had to change my perspectives, as I've learned, through genetic testing, I have a gene that predisposes me to stress. My relationships were melting around me while I was in treatment, but I realized that if I wanted to beat this thing, I had to focus my attention of getting well and not on the drama that was going on around me. Although it seems so much easier to place the blame on what we see as the source of our stress as something outside of ourselves, in reality the stress we experience is self induced. If there is no realistic way that you will be able to influence your employer to change its position regarding your leave time, then it is better to focus your attention on something over which you have control, like resigning or applying for some sort of disability. It will reduce your stress and make you feel empowered.

I have no concrete evidence
I have no concrete evidence either way, Tina, but if stress causes cancer, it should have caused mine years ago.

In 1974 my husband was killed in an industrial accident. I had 4 children, the youngest of whom was 6 months old. No cancer, though.

In 1989 my first grandchild was born, with a rare genetic defect. He had half his colon removed and a colonostomy done 48 hours after he was born. The next few years were touch and go, with many surgeries and hospital stays, one for 30 days and most of that in intensive care, but I didn't get cancer.

Then my mom died, very suddenly and unexpectedly.

My son moved 1500 miles away and my daughter turned 15. For the next 2 years there were neighbor children I liked better.

In 1993 another grandson died of SIDS. Still no cancer.

In 1995 my husband was diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver disease. Two years later he was placed on the organ transplant list.

In 1999, on our 25th wedding anniversary, he died in my arms.

My son deployed to Iraq, twice, and I was a basket case from worrying about him, but I didn't get cancer.

My only sibling died suddenly in 2006.

It was late 2009, when life seemed normal and almost stress-free ,that my cancer was diagnosed. Go figure.

Tethys41 said:

Stress and Stress Management
Stress sucks. I realize this will not be a well received statement in our current, victimhood society, but, as hard as it is to believe, and accept, stress is all in the way you perceive the situation. I've had to adopt many stress management techniques and have had to change my perspectives, as I've learned, through genetic testing, I have a gene that predisposes me to stress. My relationships were melting around me while I was in treatment, but I realized that if I wanted to beat this thing, I had to focus my attention of getting well and not on the drama that was going on around me. Although it seems so much easier to place the blame on what we see as the source of our stress as something outside of ourselves, in reality the stress we experience is self induced. If there is no realistic way that you will be able to influence your employer to change its position regarding your leave time, then it is better to focus your attention on something over which you have control, like resigning or applying for some sort of disability. It will reduce your stress and make you feel empowered.

How Stress Influences Disease
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402162546.htm

Tethys41 said:

How Stress Influences Disease
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402162546.htm

Carlene
I have been kind of down in the dumps lately now that I am dealing with a reoccurance but your story is truly inspirational. I can never feel sorry for myself again. I can not imagine being strong enough to endure all that. You are a strong lady with a great heart!
Thank you for sharing. I wish you well.

mom2greatkids said:

Absolutely stress was a
Absolutely stress was a trigger for my cancer. My dr. even said he believes that is what really "brought it on" so to speak. In Feb. '08 my Mom died of a 4 1/2 yr. battle with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. April '10 my husband died suddenly and unexpectedly of a massive heart attack. May '11 I am diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Not to mention that I had to deal with the "empty nest" between my Mom's death and husband's death.

My husband was a minister, so his death left me with no income or place to live. (Since we were living in a house owned by the church). I was allowed to stay as long as necessary in the house, plus they provided me his salary until I moved 2 months later. Since June '10 I have been living with my sister and her family.

I didn't list the numerous moves through the years, all of which are always stressful. I had to sell most of our furniture, etc. What things I am left with dishes, pictures, etc. have all been in storage since I moved. It's been tough, but I'm making it. Just one day at a time.

I had never had a female problem in my life. My periods were still regular at the age of 48 when I was diagnosed last year. I was stage 3c at the time of my surgery last May. However, the dr. feels as though all the stress I have been under played a major role. I asked him once how long he thought I had the cancer before it was found. He said about a year...right about the one year mark of my husband's death.

No one who fights this beast is a wimp!!

Carla

I use to get migraines alot
since I was in junior high. The headache usually was preceeded by what I called "interrupted vision" and the lights or aura. Then a pounding headache would come. I finally found that if I took 4 ibuprofren when the first symptoms began I could prevent the headache (most of the time). In 2007 after all my drama and having lost about 70 pounds, the headaches stopped. I rarely get a headache now and they are not migraines.

The reason I am mentioning this is because many years ago my cousin called me on a Saturday and asked if I had a headache. I said no, why are you asking? She told me I always got headaches on Saturdays. I had not noticed but it was true. I was running a home daycare and found it stressful but I did not get headaches during the week. Then I began working for the welfare department (I found out what stress really was) and the Saturday headaches continued.

I finally decided that it was the letdown after the stress that was causing my headaches and maybe the same is true for cancer. I was also in a very peaceful time when I was diagnosed but had gone through a year of drama a couple of years before.

Who knows?

Karen