What is the link between emotions and your immune system, and how important is it in coping with breast cancer? More important than you can ever imagine. In Anatomy of an Illness (Bantam Books, 1979), Norman Cousins demonstrated that one of a patient's powerful weapons against illness is positive emotions. Laughter, courage, and tenacity can bring out a patient's natural healing process. Using these methods, Cousins cured himself of a crippling disease that causes disintegration of the connective tissue in the spine, attributing a major role in his recovery to his determination to keep a positive attitude toward his illness. His story was the catalyst for further research into the mind body connection.

A person's emotional state, and the way their immune system functions determines how predisposed he or she is to getting ill from a variety of diseases, including some cancers. For example, in a study of 2020 men who completed psychological testing, 18.8% were found to be depressed (Shekelles, R.B., et al, Psychosomatic Medicine, 1981). Seventeen years later, follow-up studies showed the depressed men had twice the number of deaths due to cancer. Clearly, there is a connection between emotional state, impaired immunity and infectious disease. Another study showed an increase in stressful life circumstances in the months right before the onset of acute rheumatoid arthritis in women (Rimon R., ACTA Rheum Scan, 1969). In fact, the immune system in unemployed women became significantly weaker after they lost their jobs.

Although being diagnosed with breast cancer (and then undergoing treatment) is obviously very stressful to women, the level of stress is dependent on several factors: The stage that a cancer is classified, family concerns, the woman's response to treatment, whether or not she will need a mastectomy and if so, how she will feel about herself afterward. In fact, a woman's reaction to a diagnosis of breast cancer, how stressed she is and the impact of that stress on her immune system was a strong predictor of the five-year outcome.

Studies have demonstrated clear physiological differences between women with benign and malignant breast tumors. In one example, women getting breast biopsies were psychologically assessed before they found out the results of the biopsy. The study found that women who said they rarely expressed anger, were the ones whose biopsies were later found to be malignant. In addition, four out of five women who had expressed feelings of hopelessness after hearing they had malignant biopsies had died by the five-year follow up. In direct contrast only two women died out of the twenty who expressed denial or a fighting spirit. (Greer S., Morris T., Lancet, 1979, Greer S., Morris T., Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1975).

What Does Stress Really Do To You?
The immune system is weakened by the wrong kind of stress. When the brain perceives stress it signals the nervous system. The body then responds by increasing the heart rate, causing faster breathing and rushing blood to the deep tissue muscle, away from the skin and other non-critical regions. This reaction helps the person to either fight or escape the stressful situation.

That's okay if it's a one time situation. The problem occurs when the stress is constant (or chronic). A constant "fight or flight" reaction creates stress on the body, causing hormones from neurotransmitters (corticosteroid hormones) to rise, which over time have an extremely negative effect on the immune system. Chronic stress can lead to bleeding ulcers, adrenal cortical enlargement, and atrophy of the thymus and other lymphatic structures. Feelings of depression can also increase the likelihood of immunosuppression, making it harder to combat the disease. Luckily, depression is a treatable illness, and proper care (including medication, counseling and support groups) can improve or reverse the negative impact depression has had on the immune system.

So what can you do if you've been diagnosed with breast cancer (or have a close family member with the disease)? You can try to stay positive and believe in the treatment you (or someone you love) is getting. Studies show that a patient's faith in the effectiveness of the treatment and the comfort provided by the medical staff has a very positive impact on their recovery. It's especially critical to have a positive attitude (and get the proper support from your psychiatrist/therapist, doctor, family and friends) because early and appropriate intervention can alter the 5-year outcome. And that's the power of positive thinking!