To review epidemiological and preclinical studies on the role of chronic psychosocial stress in breast cancer development and metastasis, highlighting discrepancies between findings.
Key Findings:
25 out of 29 rodent studies indicated that chronic psychosocial stress increased mammary tumorigenesis and/or metastasis.
Epidemiological studies primarily focused on short-lasting adverse life events with no consistent associations with breast cancer, indicating a gap in addressing chronic stress.
Chronic psychosocial stress has been inadequately addressed in epidemiological research, limiting understanding of its potential impact.
Interpretation:
Chronic psychosocial stress may be a significant factor in breast cancer development, as evidenced by preclinical studies, while epidemiological studies have largely overlooked this aspect, suggesting a need for further investigation.
Limitations:
Epidemiological studies have not systematically addressed chronic psychosocial stress, which may skew results.
Most studies focused on acute stress rather than chronic stressors, limiting the understanding of long-term effects.
Conclusion:
Future epidemiological studies should prioritize chronic psychosocial stress, incorporating a life-course perspective, subjective appraisals of distress, and methodologies that account for both chronic and acute stress.
