The effect of mild stress on DMH-induced colorectal cancer

Epidemiologic studies suggest that certain psychosocial factors increase the risk of cancer. Yet, animal studies suggest that psychosocial stress inhibits the development of chemically induced tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of three different chronic mild stressors on the development of dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinoma in rats. Results of this study show that the development of DMH-induced colorectal carcinoma was not significantly inhibited or altered by each individual stress treatment. Additionally, results indicate that mild stressors can induce neurochemical changes commonly associated with stress, without the confounding effects of more aversive stressors that are likely to compromise the nutritional and physiological status of the animal and thereby alter tumor formation.