PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF BREAST-CANCER

The factors responsible for the genesis of breast cancer remain unclea r. Emerging, although controversial, evidence suggests that factors re lated to life-style, such as dietary fat or alcohol intake, or exposur e to various forms of stressors, are associated with mammary tumorigen esis. The possible role of life-style factors in breast cancer is impo rtant in light of the fact that mortality to this disease is increasin g in most countries and that development of curative therapies for bre ast cancer has not been forthcoming. Thus, determining the role of lif e-style factors in the onset and progression of breast cancer, particu larly among individuals genetically vulnerable to breast cancer or wom en with breast cancer in remission, is critical to prevent this diseas e. We will review the three main hypotheses which have been suggested to link psychosocial factors to the etiology of cancer, emphasizing da ta obtained through animal models. Interpretation of the existing data suggests that the number of stressful life-events does not predict vu lnerability to develop breast cancer or survival from it; a certain le vel of stress appears to protect from malignancies. The crucial factor affecting tumor growth is the interaction among stress, an individual 's personality, and available psychosocial support, and the effect of this interaction on an individual's ability to cope with stress. In ad dition, other risk factors for breast cancer known to be closely assoc iated with psychosocial factors, namely dietary fat and alcohol consum ption, may interact with the effects of psychosocial factors on breast cancer.