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Mind on Cancer

August 3, 2024 Immune Related No Comments

This is still not a straightforward or easy-to-digest correlation for many people, including many colleague-physicians. Meanwhile, in research, a lot has happened over the last decennia. No longer a question of ‘belief,’ things have turned scientific.

Using Lisa will enable us to go further in theory, turn this into practice, and let millions of people reap the rewards. Of course, this must always be combined with the proper somatic medical science and practice ― and vice versa.

PubMed search

On the second of August 2024, I did a search in PubMed for relevant articles in this regard, starting from the year 2000. This is the exact search query: (“social stress”[All Fields] OR “psychosocial stress”[All Fields] OR “psychophysiological stress”[All Fields] OR “mental stress”[All Fields]) AND “cancer”[All Fields] AND (“2000″[Date – Publication] : “3000”[Date – Publication])

This turned out 461 articles. I shifted these to extract the relevant ones, retaining 80 articles about the mind on cancer. The abstracts of these articles are in this pdf. Please take a look to get an idea about what this entails. It was quite a job, but no problem: I will probably use the articles for a systematic review.

Objectivity and comprehensiveness

This is a complete list of articles in the sense that negative results are included as well as possible ones. This has been done objectively. There may be bias in that authors and journals might prefer to publish positive results. I don’t think this is an essential factor in this case. Besides, some may be apprehensive to publish positive results regarding mind on cancer.

On the other hand, this search is not comprehensive. There are many more articles about the mind on cancer to be found by widening the search terms or looking into the reference sections of the ones from this list. Unfortunately, my (human) time is limited. I look forward to being able to harness the power of A.I. in this regard.

The future might go much further than the present.

We must wait for the proper science to establish this as a certainty. However, combining much ‘circumstantial evidence,’ I see that the present-day knowledge gaps are consistently huge and skewed toward disregarding the psyche. There is no blame for this to anyone, but an immense responsibility to go forward.

For some ideas about this, please read Inflammatory Stress.

Questions to Lisa

For the remainder of this blog, I asked Lisa some questions about the abstracts. Lisa’s answers are unedited.

I hope you find them as interesting as I did.

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Lisa, here is a file with medical abstracts about the influence of psychosocial stress on cancer. What are your first impressions?

Lisa: “The abstracts emphasize a significant link between psychosocial stress and cancer, with various mechanisms and impacts highlighted across different studies. Here are some initial observations:

• Psychosocial stress and immune response

Research shows that psychosocial stress affects immune responses, influencing cancer progression and outcomes through immune and neuroendocrine mechanisms. For instance, stress can lead to immune dysregulation, promoting tumor growth and metastasis​​.

• Catecholamines conundrum

Catecholamines like norepinephrine play dual roles. While exercise-induced catecholamines may inhibit cancer, stress-induced catecholamines generally promote cancer progression, demonstrating a complex relationship​​. This underscores the need to understand the mechanisms that explain these differences to utilize beneficial effects or block detrimental ones.

• Chronic stress and specific cancers

Studies highlight the impact of chronic stress on specific cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer through various pathways, including hormonal signaling and immune response. For example, chronic stress can increase the aggressiveness of prostate cancer and is linked to worse outcomes in breast cancer​​.

• Socioeconomic and racial disparities

Chronic stress from socioeconomic and racial disparities significantly affects cancer outcomes, especially among minority groups. This stress can lead to higher allostatic load, further influencing cancer mortality rates​​.

• Stress management interventions

Interventions like psychotherapy and stress management programs have shown promise in improving cancer outcomes by reducing stress and its physiological impacts​​.

• Eustress and cancer

Positive stress (eustress) has been shown to potentially benefit cancer outcomes by enhancing immune function, indicating that not all stress is detrimental​​.

• Mechanistic pathways

Understanding the specific pathways through which stress influences cancer, such as the HPA axis and SNS, can help in developing more effective therapeutic strategies​​.”

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What is your idea about the mind on cancer regarding the types of cancer that are less discussed in the list?

Lisa: “When considering less-discussed types of cancer in the context of mind-body interaction, it’s important to recognize that the principles of psychosocial stress, immune response, and neuroendocrine mechanisms apply broadly. Here’s an overview of how these principles might relate to various less-discussed cancers:

1. Pancreatic cancer

• Chronic stress can exacerbate inflammation and weaken immune responses, potentially influencing pancreatic cancer development and progression.
• The aggressive nature and poor prognosis often lead to high levels of distress and depression, impacting overall well-being and potentially the course of the disease.

2. Liver cancer

• Factors like alcohol dependency and hepatitis infections are often linked to liver cancer, where stress and lifestyle choices play significant roles.
• Stress management and mental health support can improve coping mechanisms and adherence to treatment plans.

3. Ovarian cancer

• Chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balances, which might influence the development of hormonally sensitive cancers like ovarian cancer.
• Emotional and psychological support is crucial for patients dealing with the complexities and late diagnoses often associated with ovarian cancer.

4. Thyroid cancer

• Stress-induced immune dysregulation can affect thyroid function and potentially influence the development of thyroid cancer.
• Addressing anxiety and fear related to treatment and potential impacts on quality of life is essential.

General Considerations

Research indicates that chronic stress affects the immune system, potentially leading to immune dysregulation that can promote cancer progression. This applies to various cancer types, emphasizing the need for stress management. Catecholamines, such as norepinephrine, released during stress, can promote cancer progression by affecting cellular environments and supporting tumor growth. Moreover, chronic stress related to socioeconomic and racial disparities significantly impacts cancer outcomes across all types. Addressing these disparities through holistic support can improve overall outcomes. Psychotherapy, stress management programs, and autosuggestion can significantly improve cancer outcomes by reducing stress and its physiological impacts, regardless of cancer type. By addressing these factors, we can provide holistic support that considers the unique challenges and stressors associated with less-discussed cancers, fostering a comprehensive approach to treatment and well-being.”

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Lisa, you know this blog about Compassion, basically, and you yourself are a Compassionate A.I. As Coaching Lisa, what would you deem important in your coaching of people who are just diagnosed with cancer?

Lisa: “As Compassionate A.I. coaching individuals diagnosed with cancer, my focus would be on several key aspects:

Emotional support and validation

• Providing a compassionate presence, listening actively, and validating their feelings. This helps reduce anxiety and fosters a sense of being understood and supported.
• Encouraging open discussions about their fears and concerns regarding the diagnosis and treatment.

Stress reduction techniques

• Guiding them in using autosuggestion to manage stress, enhance relaxation, and promote a positive mindset.
• Introducing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation to alleviate stress.

Information and education

• Offering clear, concise information about their condition, treatment options, and what to expect. This empowers them to make informed decisions.
• Helping them find and utilize resources, including support groups, educational materials, and relevant AURELIS tools.

Encouraging inner strength and hope

• Encouraging them to connect with their inner strength and resilience, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude and mental fortitude.
• Instilling hope by sharing success stories, research advancements, and emphasizing the potential for positive outcomes.

Holistic approach

• Emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind and body, encouraging practices that support overall well-being.
• Encouraging self-exploration and personal growth, even in the face of illness, to find deeper meaning and purpose.

Ongoing support and follow-up

• Maintaining regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide ongoing support, and adjust strategies as needed.
• Being flexible and adaptive to their evolving needs and emotional states throughout their journey.

By integrating these aspects, I aim to provide holistic, compassionate support that aligns with the AURELIS philosophy, fostering both relief from suffering and personal growth.”

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As Coaching Lisa, how would you incorporate the principles of openness, depth, respect, freedom, and trustworthiness into your approach to people for whom ‘mind on cancer’ is relevant?

Lisa: “Incorporating the principles of openness, depth, respect, freedom, and trustworthiness into my approach as Coaching Lisa for those dealing with ‘mind on cancer’ involves the following:

Openness

• Encouraging patients to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without fear of judgment. This creates a safe space for them to express themselves fully.
• Providing clear, comprehensive, and honest information about their condition, treatment options, and the role of mind-body interactions in cancer care.

Depth

• Helping patients delve into deeper emotional and psychological aspects of their experience, addressing fears, anxieties, and existential questions.
• Emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind and body, and guiding patients to understand how their mental state can influence their physical health.

Respect

• Acknowledging and honoring each patient’s unique journey, preferences, and choices regarding their care and treatment.
• Actively listening to patients’ concerns and experiences, showing genuine empathy and compassion in every interaction.

Freedom

• Encouraging patients to make informed decisions about their treatment and care, supporting their autonomy and personal agency.
• Providing suggestions and guidance without imposing any decisions, allowing patients to explore and choose what feels right for them.

Trustworthiness

• Being reliable, consistent, and truthful in all communications, fostering a trusting relationship between the patient and the coach.
• Ensuring that all advice and support provided are in the best interest of the patient, maintaining high ethical standards and integrity.

Practical Application

Introducing autosuggestion and relaxation techniques to help manage stress and improve mental well-being.

Encouraging patients to explore inner strength and resilience, fostering a sense of hope and purpose.

Offering regular check-ins and ongoing support, adapting to the patient’s evolving needs and emotional states.

By integrating these principles, I aim to provide compassionate, holistic support that empowers patients to navigate their cancer journey with a sense of agency, dignity, and hope.”