Surprising Science — April 14, 2010

Stress Cases

Stress hormones may indirectly promote the spread of cancer in the body by hurting the immune system’s anti-tumor mechanisms and encouraging new blood vessels to form.

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The hormones associated with chronic stress may indirectly promote the spread of cancer in the body by hurting the immune system’s anti-tumor mechanisms and encouraging new blood vessels to form. Researcher Anil Sood says he now hopes to find ways to interfere with these tumor-feeding stress hormones with cognitive-behavioral therapies or drugs like beta blockers and anti-depressants.

The most counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday.

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