It’s Really Not Too Surprising That There Is A Link Between Depression and Breast Cancer

For the women diagnosed with breast cancer resulting depression is easy to understand. Breast cancer is a very scary and life altering event. It would be surprising if some depression didn’t occur. But the thought of depression being a possible cause of breast cancer seems out of the question. The findings may surprise you.

Some studies and research have been done to indicate a link between depression and breast cancer. Some of the medical community agrees with the results indicating that there is in fact a link between depression and breast cancer. Still others feel there should be more studies performed to completely prove the link.

Some reports indicate that women suffering from depression are two to four times as likely to develop breast cancer as those with no depression. No such link exists between other types of cancer.

Possible Causes

How can breast cancer be related to depression?

The answers are varied. Different researcher and medical professionals have differing opinions. It depends on which medical community to interview. Some are further investigating the mind-body link for developing breast cancer.

Some scientists have come up with a possible cause being a hormonal link. This belief centers on stress hormones that may be elevated with depression.

Another possible hormonal link involving estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone as women with depression can also have imbalances with these hormones. Women with severe depression have unbalanced levels of these hormones.

Still another theory involves medication prescribed for depression. They seem to think there’s the possibility of breast cancer being caused by immune system suppression caused by increased stress hormones and certain antidepressants as tumor promoters.

While there have been no final and conclusive decisions made about the possible link between depression and breast cancer there are enough statistics pointing to this link that further studies are well warranted.
Is there any way for a woman with depression to prevent this possible link form occurring?

At this point there are no strong recommendations. If you do have depression, make sure to seek medical help. Getting control of your depression can help to keep stress hormones and other body functions in good shape.

Make sure to get regular check-ups and mammograms. Self-test at least once a month.

If you find any abnormalities get it checked immediately. Early detection of breast cancer is a primary factor in cancer elimination and survival rates.

If you have questions or concerns are wondering about