Stress and PCa. Does stress activate or elevate PCa activity?

[2dee]

I've been under some unusual personal stress for the last month or so and my PSA which has been between 1-2 suddenly jumped to 2.8. Any ideas or studies about such a correlation?

2Dee

[LearnAll]

No studies to quote but my hypothesis is that stress reduces immunity, Slows NK cell activity and phagocytosis.

This diminished immune system might allow faster multiplication of cancer cells which may show as higher PSA.

There is some scientific evidence that excessive stress decreases immunity. Students get more common cold before exams .Eczema getting worse during stressful days etc

Relaxation tecniques , meditation, mindfulness etc might help by reducing emotional stress.

[SooHwa99 in reply to LearnAll]

I think you are correct. There should definitely be more studies in this area!

[whatsinaname]

The mental aspect is greatly exaggerated.

Everyone stresses out. Some more, some less.

It does not affect ones MPC, imho.

[pjoshea13]

I believe that chronic stress, as can happen in the workplace, can have a profound effect on the body. It would not surprise me if this increased the risk for disease.

I don't have time today to review the literature, but here is a 2017 paper:

"Perceived Workplace Stress Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer before Age 65"

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

"Findings are in line with an association between reporting prolonged workplace stress and an increase in risk of PCa before age 65."

-Patrick

[Currumpaw in reply to pjoshea13]

Thank you Patrick,

It might not just be PSA levels. Stress affects the entire body.

For decades it has been reported that more heart attacks happen on a Monday than any other day.

Mondays Are the Riskiest Days For Heart Attack | Men’s Health

menshealth.com/health/a1952...

Start linking studies like this together and the effects of stress become clearer.

Oh well! Just say "Ooommm"!

Currumpaw

[Magnus1964]

To answer your question, yes. I don't think there have been any studies on cancer and stress, but I do think in the long run stress can effect cancer. So also can mental health. See Lawrence Le Shan YOU CAN FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE.

[Currumpaw]

Hey Nalakrats!

Welcome back. I had the test run for C-Reactive Protein several years ago. I used LE's blood testing for just about everything. The phlebotomist told me I was getting tests costing well over $1,000 for less than half that amount. Dry ice is a necessity for some of the samples.

The lab that did the draws now requires the doctor that orders the testing to be in the state.

Not everyone knows about the C-Reactive Protein test. I'm glad you mentioned it.

There is something to said about meditation. Doing it is another.

Currumpaw

[Currumpaw]

Hey Nalakrats!

You forgot to mention another effective way to reduce stress. Roscoe! Give credit where it is due!

There are many studies on that.

Currumpaw

[Filotimo62]

Exercise has been shown to be much better at managing stress than medications. When we go into flight or fight, our body has a lot of cortisol and adrenaline in it - destructive amounts. The only way to get rid of it is to fight or flight not sit and stew. And since we are now civilised and no longer cave men running around clubbing people or chasing our food, aerobic exercise its the next best thing.

[Lynsi13]

I can't report of any studies but I can share that in the month after my mom had a stroke a few years ago my dad's PSA jumped up. After she came home from rehab and begin to improve he had another PSA testing and his numbers were back down to where they had been before the stroke. There was no explanation for the increase aside from stress as he went another year with the numbers remaining the same.

[2dee in reply to Lynsi13]

Good anecdote Lynsi13.

I'm hoping your story applies to me as well and PSA will go back under 2 after these almost unsolvable issues I suddenly have to deal with are past.

I also thought our group could benefit from the questions.

2Dee

[monte1111]

I am so lazy I don't even have laces on my shoes. Velcro. Special Velcro that cancer cells stick too. Hope someone's working on that. My thought of the day. My wife used to say "Monte, don't get mad. It doesn't do any good." I have since learned, don't get stressed. It doesn't do any good. So just relax 2dee. And be super relaxed right before your next test. I have been working on my road rage. Instead of expletives, I now am down to stupid, jerk and ignorant and etc. I wonder what I would be saying if I was the driver instead of the passenger. Hope your personal stress resolves itself soon. Enjoy.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

No more road rage for me.... I just open the passenger side window and let my wife yell and scream....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 11/10/2019 6:26 PM EST

[j-o-h-n]

Buy a punching bag and gloves, hang the bag down your basement and every time your stressed beat that MF*9^%%%$%^$##(#@#$$**$$$ bag to death.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 11/10/2019 6:25 PM EST

[j-o-h-n]

BTW 2dee, Would you be kind enough to provide us with your bio? Age, Location, Scores psa and gleason, Treatments to date, Treatment center(s), Doctor's name(s). All info is voluntary and helps us help you and helps us too. Thank you...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 11/10/2019 6:30 PM EST

[tom67inMA]

Check this out: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

IMHO, the best defense against stress is exercise. When the fight or flight response is activated, exercise provides resolution and shuts it off.

[GeorgeGlass]

A study was done on mice. The sets of mice were injected with cancer. The results showed that mice under heavy stress (strobe lights, loud noises, unpredictable feeding times etc) had their cancer grow 6 times faster than the mice who were left alone.

[2dee in reply to GeorgeGlass]

Thanks George,

Can you find a citation ID for that study. I think our group wants to know...

[GeorgeGlass in reply to 2dee]

newsmax.com/Health/Health-N...

[GeorgeGlass]

try cardio, sauna, qi gong, lyengar yoga, tai chi

[2dee]

I understand a little about treating whatever stress might mean.

Best method is don't have any.

I'm really looking to see about finding supporting studies and or treatments.

[tom67inMA in reply to 2dee]

Acute stress such as exercise, riding a roller coaster, etc., may actually be good for us. The important thing is that it has a finite duration and the source of the stress is resolved. Chronic stress should be avoided.

Which is to say balance is key. I find it hard to be constantly relaxed, it's way too stressful

[monte1111]

Strobe lights, loud noises, unpredictable feeding times etc. Reminds me of my 20's. Back to the 1970's decade. What a trip it's been. Enjoy.

[Ralph1966]

How is your sleeping with stress? Insomnia or not getting enough sleep can also affect your general health including cancer.

This was linked to low melatonin levels in our body. Melatonin which is released at night (darkness) found to be low in people with PCa.

Some of us including me started taking melatonin in a nightly doses of 20 mg and higher to help fighting the progession of this disease.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[2dee in reply to Ralph1966]

Sleep ok now after finally getting extreme pain under a bit of control to at least a tolerable state. Supplanted some opiates with CBD.

2Dee

[VictoryPC]

Stress definitely elevates and escalates PCa