Many people wonder if their stressful lifestyle led to their cancer diagnosis. Although stress can contribute to a number of health problems, the evidence that it can cause cancer is weak.
However, Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, says “stress and your immune system affect your body and affect your body’s chance of healing.”
Read More What’s more, Dr. Yeo says there are some studies that show stress could worsen healing and recovery from surgery as well as affect the risk of recurrence. “We know that when your immune system is down, when there’s an excess of stress hormones going on,” explains Dr. Yeo, “your body has a hard time recovering and cancer takes advantage of that.” The National Cancer Institute notes that feeling overwhelmed, whether it shows up as depression, anxiety, anger, or loneliness, can be a sign that the weight of a cancer diagnosis is affecting your mental health and daily stress levels.
The NCI also emphasizes that a few small shifts in your routine can make coping easier:
- Talk about your feelings instead of holding everything in.
- Release self‑blame — your diagnosis is not your fault.
- Don’t force positivity; if you’re struggling, give yourself grace and space to feel what you feel.
- Reconnect with hobbies or activities that lift your mood and help rebuild confidence.
- Move your body, even gently — a short walk or light exercise can help ease built‑up stress.
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