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The Role of Stress in Breast Cancer Incidence: Risk Factors, Interventions, and Directions for the Future

Author

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  • Deborah J. Bowen

    (Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Senaida Fernandez Poole

    (Office of the President, California Breast Cancer Research Program, University of California, Oakland, CA 94607, USA)

  • Mary White

    (Atlanta, GA 30341, USA)

  • Rodney Lyn

    (School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA)

  • Debra A. Flores

    (Kaiser Permanente Greater Southern Alameda Area, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA)

  • Helen G. Haile

    (Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • David R. Williams

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02138, USA)

Abstract

Stress is a common belief among breast cancer patients and the public to explain variation in breast cancer incidence. Epidemiological studies interrogating the relationship between stress and cancer have reported mixed results. The impact of the topic and the lack of consensus has sparked this review of the literature to investigate gaps in knowledge and identify areas of research. We first present a brief summary of the biopsychosocial model generally used to conduct research on stress. We then divide the overview of the literature into areas of research focus. These include the role of distressing life events in breast cancer incidence, the role of adverse childhood events in later breast cancer incidence, the importance of race and socioeconomic status (SES) as social determinants of breast cancer incidence, and the specific role of chronic stress in relation to breast cancer. For each topic, we discuss the potential of stress as a risk factor and possible intervention strategies that could reduce the effects of stress. We then identify further research questions to be probed to fill the gaps in knowledge. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions for stress research as it relates to breast cancer incidence.

Suggested Citation

  • Deborah J. Bowen & Senaida Fernandez Poole & Mary White & Rodney Lyn & Debra A. Flores & Helen G. Haile & David R. Williams, 2021. "The Role of Stress in Breast Cancer Incidence: Risk Factors, Interventions, and Directions for the Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1871-:d:499569
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David R. Williams & Lisa A. Cooper, 2019. "Reducing Racial Inequities in Health: Using What We Already Know to Take Action," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-26, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fatin Atrooz & Sally Mohammad Aljararwah & Chiara Acquati & Omar F. Khabour & Samina Salim, 2023. "Breast Cancer Beliefs and Screening Practices among Syrian Refugee Women and Jordanian Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.

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