Charles (Chuck) Maack, prostate cancer advocate, has added the following information to today’s earlier post;

But it may effect cancer cell growth:

STRESS.Stress because of concern regarding one’s condition can lead to depression, and may also have an effect on cancer cell growth. I have included below the results of a lab study at Ohio University on cancer cells from a head and neck cancer. It validates findings in ovarian cancer and may apply generally. Interestingly, a beta-blocker slowed progression of the stress hormone stimulated cells. This study supports the importance of avoiding stress and depression

“Stress Hormones May Play New Role In Speeding Up Cancer Growth

November 1, 2006. Hormones produced during periods of stress may
increase the growth rate of cancer. A new study shows that an
increase in norepinephrin, a stress hormone, can stimulate tumor
cells to produce two compounds. These compounds can break down the
tissue around tumor cells and allow the cells to more easily move
into the bloodstream. From there, they can travel to another location
in the body to form additional tumors, a process called metastasis.

The research also suggests that the same hormone, norepinephrin, can
also stimulate the tumor cells to release another compound that can
aid in the growth of new blood vessels that feed cancer cells,
hastening the growth and spread of the disease. The work was reported
in the latest issue of the journal Cancer Research ….

The target adrenergic receptors for these hormones are well-known to
clinicians dealing with high-blood-pressure patients. Typically, such
patients are given a class of drugs known as beta-blockers which lead
to a lowering of blood pressure levels.

Glaser and Yang wanted to see how these same drugs affected these
tumor cells. They added propanol, a beta-blocker, to the tumor cells
and then exposed them to both norepinepherine and epinephrine. With
the drug present, the levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF didn’t
increase.

“This suggests a new approach to possibly fight some cancers – the
prescribing of beta-blocker-type drugs that would block these
receptors and perhaps slow the progression of the disease,” Glaser
said.”

And here is yet more supporting evidence that stress stimulating an uptake of epinephrine can consequently stimulate cancer cell growth:

My comment: As the FDA has told us PSA is not an adequate endpoint for morbidity and so to cancer cell growth may or may not effect morbidity.

Joel T. Nowak MA, MSW