A possible link between stress and cancer is sometimes reported in the news. However, quite a large number of studies have looked at the direct and indirect links between stress and breast cancer, and so far the overall evidence is not conclusive.
Stress is a highly subjective state so it is difficult to measure – how one person determines their stress levels can be very different from how another person does. Stress can also lead to unhealthy behaviour that could then increase your risk of cancer, such as overeating, putting on weight and drinking alcohol. This makes the effects of stress on breast cancer risk difficult to pinpoint.
If you like to know more about stress and ways to manage stress, you may find information on the MIND website helpful.
Information last reviewed: 1 November 2011
