INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY-ESSENTIALS
AN EVIDENCE-BASED, PERSONALIZED APPROACH IN CARING FOR THOSE LIVING WITH OR BEYOND CANCER

STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Why is stress an important issue?

  • Stress may diminish the strength of the immune system. This has been shown in many reported studies, and is thought to be due to signals between the brain and the adrenal gland, which releases immune suppressing hormones (i.e. cortisol).
  • Pre-cancer cells develop in the body all the time (from damage and mutations to their DNA), yet most of the time our immune system is able to identify and destroy these cells. When the immune system is weakened it is less able to identify and destroy these cells, thereby allowing them to potentially grow into tumors.
  • In people who have had cancer in the past, maintaining a strong immune system is important in helping to prevent a recurrence of their cancer.
  • Strategies to help reduce stress have been reported to improve the strength of the immune system.
  • Stress, anxiety & depression can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals that can impair the immune system and promote cancer growth. (Read more about this here)

Figures 1-3 & Boxes 1-2 (below) illustrate some of the mechanisms that have linked the development and progression of cancer with stress (through changes in neurological chemicals/hormones, the immune system and inflammation.)
(The Influence On Bio-Behavioural Factors On Tumour Biology: Pathways & Mechanisms, Antoni, M.H., et. al., Nature Reviews, March 2006)
**For the full article click here**




This image may be hard to read **click here for the full article**









References

Great technique for relaxing: "The 4-7-8 (or Relaxing Breath) Exercise"

"I highly recommend this relaxation technique as a very simple and effective way to get you into a relaxed state quickly. You can learn the "relaxing breath" in a short amount of time and it is very easy to do. This can be done before going to bed, before going to the doctors office (if that makes you nervous) or in any stressful situation."- Brian Lawenda, MD

Instructions (Quoted from DrWeil.Com)

"This exercise is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Although you can do the exercise in any position, sit with your back straight while learning the exercise. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth, and keep it there through the entire exercise. You will be exhaling through your mouth around your tongue; try pursing your lips slightly if this seems awkward.

  • Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
  • Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
  • Hold your breath for a count of seven.
  • Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
  • This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.
Note that you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth. The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time. Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation. The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4:7:8 is important. If you have trouble holding your breath, speed the exercise up but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases. With practice you can slow it all down and get used to inhaling and exhaling more and more deeply.
This exercise is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system. Unlike tranquilizing drugs, which are often effective when you first take them but then lose their power over time, this exercise is subtle when you first try it but gains in power with repetition and practice. Do it at least twice a day. You cannot do it too frequently. Do not do more than four breaths at one time for the first month of practice. Later, if you wish, you can extend it to eight breaths. If you feel a little lightheaded when you first breathe this way, do not be concerned; it will pass.
Once you develop this technique by practicing it every day, it will be a very useful tool that you will always have with you. Use it whenever anything upsetting happens - before you react. Use it whenever you are aware of internal tension. Use it to help you fall asleep. This exercise cannot be recommended too highly. Everyone can benefit from it." -by Andrew Weil, MD

Recommended Products

Health Journeys (CDs/DVDs for meditation, guided imagery, etc.)


Dr Andrew Weil (Excellent CD-ROM for Relaxation- Listen to his track on "The Relaxing Breath")

**If you are actively undergoing treatment for cancer, I do not recommend taking any supplements without first discussing this with your oncologist**

 
 
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