Researchers study stress and cervical cancer

Madison, WI

Betsy Longstreth has a full time job, a house to run, and three children and six grandchildren to care for. She says she doesn't necessarily feel overwhelmed, and has normal daily stress just like everyone else. Doctors say that's good, because there may be a link between how stressed you feel, and cervical cancer.

Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center studied the immune systems of women with precancerous cervical cells. They evaluated the ability of the cells to respond or proliferate when stimulated with HPV in vitro. Women filled out questionnaires and rated how well they thought they coped with day-to-day hassles. Dr. Carolyn Fang says, "What we found was that women who reported that they perceived a lot of stress over the past month, were less likely to show an immune response to HPV."

Doctors are still studying whether stress actually has a negative effect on immune cells, but the message to women who feel overwhelmed is clear. "Read a book, take a bath, have a massage. Whatever makes you feel better and relieves your stress, is a healthy step to take," says Dr. Fang. Betsy takes that advice by walking everyday and fitting in yoga at least once each week.

The study is especially important because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in four women between the ages of 14 and 59 is infected with HPV. Researchers also plan to study stress reduction program to find out whether chilling out can improve the immune response to HPV.

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