Summary: For patients with a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer -- malignant melanoma -- stress, including that which comes from simply hearing that diagnosis, might amplify the progression of their disease.
Still, doctors believe exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and from tanning lamps and beds is the leading cause of melanoma. UV light doesn't cause all melanomas, especially those that occur in places on your body that don't receive exposure to sunlight.
Stress and Skin Cancer
However, stress may also play a role, as it causes the body to produce unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals. Those can increase inflammation and damage your skin's DNA, leading to mutations and, possibly, skin cancer.
It's easy to see how this could become problematic for melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy. There is also evidence that stress can alter the tumor microenvironment, making it more hospitable to cancer growth.
So far, research has stopped short of concluding that chronic stress causes cancer, but enough is understood about the association to suggest that being in a constant state of stress is a risk factor for cancer and its progression, and that inflammation is likely to blame.
The truth. Research has not proven a definite cause-and-effect relationship between stress and cancer. The connection between your emotional (psychological) health and physical health is very complex. Psychological stress can affect your body.
Emotions affect both hormones and immune function. However, the link between mind-body interactions and cancer is far less clear and remains unproved. There is a vast difference between saying that stress temporarily alters some functions of the immune system and saying that stress, therefore causes cancer.
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a major risk factor for most melanomas. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays. Tanning beds and sun lamps are also sources of UV rays.
In addition, a comprehensive European case-control study found that stress, traumatic events and depression were significantly associated with increased melanoma risk.
Eating more citrus fruit has been associated with a greater melanoma risk in some, but not all, studies, for example; and red and processed meat has been associated with lower risk of melanoma but a higher risk of other cancers.
Studies show that both acute and chronic stress can exert negative effects on overall skin wellness, as well as exacerbate a number of skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, and hair loss.
For example, stress can aggravate psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. It can also cause hives and other types of skin rashes and trigger a flare-up of fever blisters. Interfere with daily skin care. If you're stressed, you might skimp on this part of your routine, which can aggravate skin issues.
Today's research suggests a link between intense and persistent anger that is suppressed, and cancer. There is no association between suppressed anger and all cancers, but it may be implicated in breast cancer (findings are inconsistent).
People with fair complexion, blond or red hair, blue eyes, and freckles are at increased risk for developing melanoma. This risk is also higher for people whose skin has a tendency to burn rather than tan. Family history. About 10% of people with melanoma have a family history of the disease.
[1-4] In contrast to most cancer types, melanoma skin cancer also occurs relatively frequently at younger ages. Age-specific incidence rates increase steadily from around age 20-24 and more steeply in males from around age 55-59. The highest rates are in in the 85 to 89 age group for females and males.
Spread of pigment from the border of a spot into surrounding skin. Redness or a new swelling beyond the border of the mole. Change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain. Change in the surface of a mole – scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.
General symptoms
hard or swollen lymph nodes. hard lump on your skin. unexplained pain. feeling very tired or unwell.
Tiredness (fatigue) is a common symptom of advanced cancer. You may feel that you lack energy, and this can be overwhelming. Let your doctor or nurse know if you're very tired as they can prescribe medicine to help or other treatments.
Carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, cantaloupe, and squash are great sources of beta-carotene. While research on the effect of beta carotene and melanoma is inconclusive, some evidence supports the role of vitamin A in reducing the risk of developing melanoma, according to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
How long can you have melanoma and not know it? It depends on the type of melanoma. For example, nodular melanoma grows rapidly over a matter of weeks, while a radial melanoma can slowly spread over the span of a decade. Like a cavity, a melanoma may grow for years before producing any significant symptoms.
Nodular melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
There is no association between suppressed anger and all cancers, but it may be implicated in breast cancer (findings are inconsistent). To date, there are few studies on the relationship between anger and cancer.
Sadness and Depression. Many people with cancer feel sad. They feel a sense of loss of their health, and the life they had before they learned they had the disease. Even when you're done with treatment, you may still feel sad.
Psychosocial factors such as depression, general distress, and low social support have long been theorized to increase cancer risk (Dalton et al., 2002).