In this study, we demonstrated that chronic stress profoundly accelerates the emergence and development of squamous cell carcinoma and their precursors while suppressing tumor regression in a mouse model.
Stress and Skin Cancer
However, stress may also play a role, as it causes the body to produce unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals. Those can increase inflammation and damage your skin's DNA, leading to mutations and, possibly, skin cancer.
UV damage to your skin caused by the sun or tanning beds.
This is the most common contributing factor. Indoor tanning can increase your risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer by 58%1.
So far, research has stopped short of concluding that chronic stress causes cancer, but enough is understood about the association to suggest that being in a constant state of stress is a risk factor for cancer and its progression, and that inflammation is likely to blame.
A common type of squamous cell cancer is the keratoacanthoma. It is a rapidly growing tumor which tends to appear suddenly and may reach a considerable size. This tumor is often dome-shaped with a central area resembling a crater which is filled with a keratin plug.
When caught promptly, almost all squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin can be successfully treated. But when they become more advanced, these skin cancers can become dangerous. That's why it's important to be on the lookout for any SCC warning signs, including new, changing or unusual skin growths.
Metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rare. However, certain tumor and patient characteristics increase the risk of metastasis. Prior studies have demonstrated metastasis rates of 3-9%, occurring, on average, one to two years after initial diagnosis [6].
Emotions affect both hormones and immune function. However, the link between mind-body interactions and cancer is far less clear and remains unproved. There is a vast difference between saying that stress temporarily alters some functions of the immune system and saying that stress, therefore causes cancer.
Disruptions in the body's “biological clock,” which controls sleep and thousands of other functions, may raise the odds of cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries and prostate. Exposure to light while working overnight shifts for several years may reduce levels of melatonin, encouraging cancer to grow.
Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma. Before you get too stressed out about being stressed out, there is some good news.
Age over 50: Most SCCs appear in people over age 50. Fair skin: People with fair skin are at an increased risk for SCC. Gender: Men are more likely to develop SCC. Sun-sensitive conditions including xeroderma pigmentosum.
Actinic keratoses
The solar (actinic) keratosis is the most common precursor lesion for squamous cell carcinoma.
Studies show that both acute and chronic stress can exert negative effects on overall skin wellness, as well as exacerbate a number of skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, and hair loss.
There is no association between suppressed anger and all cancers, but it may be implicated in breast cancer (findings are inconsistent).
Can stress cause tumor markers to rise? Research suggests that chronic stress may cause cancer to spread faster or recur (come back) in people who've had cancer in the past. Tumor markers — in combination with other diagnostic tools — help healthcare providers diagnose, treat and monitor certain types of cancer.
A cancer that affects your hormone levels could cause fatigue. Certain cancers such as breast and prostate cancer can change the levels of hormones in your body. This can cause a number of side effects including fatigue. People with advanced cancer are more likely to have fatigue than those with earlier staged cancer.
Lack of good sleep doesn't cause cancer, but new research shows good quality sleep can help your body fight cancer. Sleep disorders can alter two hormones which impact cancer: cortisol and melatonin. Active young women who slept less than 7 hours per night had a 47% higher risk of cancer than those who got more sleep.
Researchers have also looked at long sleep duration, usually defined as sleeping more than nine hours per night, and found potential links to cancer risk. This amount of sleep was found in one study to elevate the risk of colorectal cancer in older adults.
Many people feel unhappy, tearful, hopeless or discouraged at times when they have cancer. These feelings are normal. But if they don't go away or last a long time, get worse or get in the way of day-to-day life, they could be a sign of depression. This is also called clinical depression.
Psychosocial factors such as depression, general distress, and low social support have long been theorized to increase cancer risk (Dalton et al., 2002).
Our findings indicate patients with depression have an increased risk of cancer, ranging from 10% to 39% increased risk depending on the type of cancer. Cancer risk was highest in patients with depression for lung, GI, breast, and urinary cancer.
Most (95% to 98%) of squamous cell carcinomas can be cured if they are treated early. Once squamous cell carcinoma has spread beyond the skin, though, less than half of people live five years, even with aggressive treatment.
Treatment should happen as soon as possible after diagnosis, since more advanced SCCs of the skin are more difficult to treat and can become dangerous, spreading to local lymph nodes, distant tissues and organs.
About 60 percent of people who have had one skin cancer will be diagnosed with a second one within 10 years, says a 2015 study in JAMA Dermatology. Your odds increase dramatically if you've been diagnosed with a second BCC or SCC (or third, or any other number beyond first).