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Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Generation of Organ-conditioned Media and Applications for Studying Organ-specific Influences on Breast Cancer Metastatic Behavior
Published on: June 13, 2016
Mechanisms of stress-attributed breast cancer incidence and progression
Elizabeth Reznik1, Ava Torjani2
1Department of Internal Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell, New York, NY, USA. elr3002@nyp.org.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, with psychosocial stress commonly cited by patients as one of its causes. While there is conflicting epidemiological evidence investigating the association between psychosocial stress and breast cancer incidence and progression, there is reason to believe that interventions aimed at reducing stress pharmacologically or psychologically may improve breast cancer outcomes. The aim of this review is to discuss the molecular and biological mechanisms of stress-attributed breast cancer incidence and progression, including the induction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), as well as decreased immune function and stress hormone-induced resistance to chemotherapy. Moreover, these mechanisms have been cited as potential therapeutic targets of pharmacologic and psychological interventions that may improve the care, well-being and survival of breast cancer patients. Further research is recommended to investigate whether interventions in the primary care setting for women with risk factors for breast cancer development may lead to a decreased incidence of invasive breast tumors.
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