Stress is a constant companion in the oncologist’s office. It appears at the time of diagnosis, increases with each stage of treatment, and often does not resolve even after therapy formally ends. It accompanies therapeutic decisions, waiting for test results, fear of recurrence, and changes in daily functioning. Studies show that chronic stress can trigger biological processes that promote disease progression and weaken the body’s defenses.
This perspective is presented in a systematic review prepared by researchers from Wroclaw Medical University, published in 2026 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The authors analyzed data on four cancers – breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian – organizing them according to five-year survival rates.
What exactly is chronic stress?
From a…