STUDY: Increased stress linked to reduced immune function.

JOURNAL: Int J Cancer 2002;100:347-354

AUTHORS: Dr. Shimon Pollack

ABSTRACT: Stress experienced by the daughters of breast cancer patients may further increase their risk for developing breast cancer, as indicated by measurements of immune function and stress hormones.

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COMMENTARY: Daughters of breast cancer patients are under persistent increased emotional distress. This, in turn, has affected some of their immune functions and the secretion of stress hormones (cortisol and catecholamines).

As a result, one of the main immune surveillance mechanisms, namely natural cytotoxic activity against cancer (natural killer-resistant) cells, is severely impaired. This may contribute to the established increased risk of daughters of breast cancer patients to develop breast cancer.

Compared with controls, daughters of breast cancer patients had significantly higher emotional distress scores. Levels of stress hormones were higher, and in vitro secretions of interleukin-2, interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma were lower, among daughters of breast cancer patients compared with controls.

Natural cytotoxic activity against natural killer-resistant and natural killer-sensitive cell lines were significantly lower and were augmented much less by in vitro preincubation with interleukin-2 or interleukin-12 among daughters of breast cancer patients compared with controls.

The bottom line here folks is to concentrate on lowering your stress levels. This is even more important for people who are undergoing a great deal of stress at a given time.

Do exercises and utilize supplements to lower your cortisol or catecholamine levels like Catechol or Cortiguard.

Do whatever it takes to keep you balanced and to keep your immune system in tip top shape.