Scientists try to unravel role of stress on cervical cancer

Cancer Research UK

A small study has suggested that daily stress may reduce a woman's ability to fight off strain 16 of the human papillomavirus (HPV16), which is responsible for the majority of cases of cervical cancer.

But a Cancer Research UK spokesperson said that the study was far too small to be conclusive.

HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, certain strains of which can cause precancerous cervical lesions or cancer.

The researchers, from the Fox Chase Cancer Centre in the US, asked women who had been diagnosed with precancerous cervical lesions to complete a questionnaire giving details of their perceived levels of stress during the previous month and whether or not they had experienced any stressful events during their lifetime, such as a divorce or loss of a family member.

They found that daily stress appeared to be linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer and hypothesised that stress may affect immune function and reduce a woman's ability to fight off HPV.

However, no such link was found between cervical cancer risk and past major life events. More >>

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