Emotional stress may increase risk of breast cancer: study

If you think about it, it may be pretty obvious – Negative emotions like feelings of jealousy, neglect, sorrow and anger can be fatal to one’s health. According to a recent study, that may actually be true.

This is especially true women. According to the said study, constant worrying about family, work can lead to sleep loss and increase the risk of breast cancer.

Here’s how you can combat it and do your best to be happy. Dr Samir Parikh consultant psychiatrist and director of the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare says, “Being diagnosed with an illness like cancer, regardless of which type of cancer, in itself can be a devastating experience for both the patient as well as their families. There are many emotional upheavals that individuals go through from the time of diagnosis through the treatment processes.”

Advising patients on how to go about their normal life, he says, “The thought about cancer often brings associations with death and dying. Ironically, living with cancer does not always imply the end of life. It has often been seen how patients are able to go through their treatment smoothly and continue to lead fulfilling lives thereafter. Psychological interventions with patients and their families can also involve working on their strengths and existing coping skills. Therefore, it is possible for people to lead normal, uninterrupted life, follow their delete routines and overcome the overall stigma associated with cancer.”

Women with breast cancer have a radically improved chance of survival if they take care of their mental well-being and surround themselves with a positive environment.