Which of the following statements about the relationship between stress and cancer risk are correct?

Answers will vary

Feedback: Early symptoms of central nervous system impairment are similar to those of depression and include forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, psychomotor retardation, decreased alertness, apathy, withdrawal, diminished interest in work, and loss of sexual desire. In more advanced stages, patients may experience confusion, disorientation, seizures, profound dementia, and coma. A common symptom for women with AIDS is gynecologic infection. Interventions that reduce depression are, thus, useful in the fight against AIDS. Coping skills training and the practice of meditation may also improve adjustment to the disease. Stress and its neuroendocrine consequences foster a more rapid course of illness in people who are infected with HIV and lead to more opportunistic or more aggressive symptoms. Social support is very important to people with HIV infection or AIDS. Social support has been tied to greater adherence and lower viral load. Support from family appears to be especially important for preventing depression. Optimism, active coping, extraversion, conscientiousness, and spirituality all predict slower disease progression.

A 2019 study, for example, showed that stress hormones can increase the number of pro-tumor immune cells in tumors. That could mean that stress not only wakes up dormant tumor cells but also provides the right environment for them to grow, Dr. Hildesheim explained.

Which is true about the relationship between stress and immune system functioning?

When we're stressed, the immune system's ability to fight off antigens is reduced. That is why we are more susceptible to infections. The stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system (e.g. lowers the number of lymphocytes).

Can stress cause cancer to recur?

Psychological stress has been known to contribute to the development and progression of cancer; however, its effect on cancer recurrence remains inconclusive.

Does stress increase risk of breast cancer?

Yes, the women exposed to stress are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than the non-exposed.