"Psychogenesis" of cancer: between myths, misuses and reality

Since a long time hypothesis of links between psychological factors and can cer, have been established in our culture. So far, numerous researches have tempted to indicate stress, coping facing the disease, depression or "type C" personality as factors participating to the onset and/or the course of the cancer. A review of those studies, mainly retrospective has mostly brou ght debated results, as well as prospective researches including large samp le of population or people awaiting a diagnosis; therefore making oldfashio ned every area strictly "psychogenetic" of cancer at first sight. Explicati ve indirect hypothesis are suggested by the psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunolo gy. Various researches in this field proved that external factors such as s tress, depression or social support have significative influences on compon ents of the immune system which in turn influence the onset and/or the cour se oi-the cancer. The links between psychological factors and cancer are ex tremely complex, bringing numerous biological, psychological or even sociol ogical systems in interactions Then psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunology const itutes an early interdisciplinary way of mediation, capable of account for the connections between psychology and cancer.