Psychological intervention to treat distress: An emerging frontier in cancer prevention and therapy.

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer

State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology in Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address:

Published: January 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • Psychological distress, particularly chronic depression and anxiety, significantly affects cancer patients, with rates four times higher than the general population, leading to worse health outcomes.
  • Research shows that psychological distress can influence both cancer progression and the complex biological mechanisms that underlie it.
  • The review highlights stress response pathways, such as the HPA, SNS, and MGB axes, and suggests that managing psychological factors could open new avenues for cancer prevention and treatment.

Article Abstract

Psychological distress, such as chronic depression and anxiety, is a topical problem. In the context of cancer patients, prevalence rates of psychological distress are four-times higher than in the general population and often confer worse outcomes. In addition to evidence from epidemiological studies confirming the links between psychological distress and cancer progression, a growing body of cellular and molecular studies have also revealed the complex signaling networks which are modulated by psychological distress-derived chronic stress during cancer progression. In this review, aiming to uncover the intertwined networks of chronic stress-driven oncogenesis and progression, we summarize physiological stress response pathways, like the HPA, SNS, and MGB axes, that modulate the release of stress hormones with potential carcinogenic properties. Furthermore, we discuss in detail the mechanisms behind these chronic stimulations contributing to the initiation and progression of cancer through direct regulation of cancer hallmarks-related signaling or indirect promotion of cancer risk factors (including obesity, disordered circadian rhythms, and premature senescence), suggesting a novel research direction into cancer prevention and therapy on the basis of psychological interventions.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188665DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

psychological distress
12
cancer
8
cancer prevention
8
prevention therapy
8
cancer progression
8
psychological
6
psychological intervention
4
intervention treat
4
distress
4
treat distress
4

Similar Publications

Background: The literature is equivocal as to whether the predicted negative mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic came to fruition. Some quantitative studies report increased emotional problems and depression; others report improved mental health and well-being. Qualitative explorations reveal heterogeneity, with themes ranging from feelings of loss to growth and development.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Identity as a resource or a demand.

PLoS One

January 2025

Department of Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America.

Individuals embody various social identities that can impact how they interface with the social environment. Stigma theories suggest that members of low-status or marginalized groups possess devalued social identities, and therefore, experience more stress. While social identities can lead to increased stress, individuals' appraisals of their identities are not necessarily perceived as harmful/demanding.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: To synthesize evidence on factors influencing negative outcomes following patient safety incidents.

Background: Patient safety incidents affect not only patients and families but also healthcare workers (second victims) and institutions (third victims). Nurses are at risk due to stressful environments and direct patient care, leading to defensive practices, job turnover, and errors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction And Hypothesis: Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome causes psychological distress, worsened by kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing. This study assesses whether combining capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency with myofascial techniques is more effective than myofascial techniques alone for improving psychological outcomes such as kinesiophobia and catastrophizing.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolled 81 chronic pelvic pain syndrome patients (67.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!