Introduction
There has been a lot of interest between physical health and mental illness. There is a bidirectional relationship between physical health and mental health (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2008). People who are diagnosed with severe mental illness are faced with a higher likelihood of developing various physical conditions, some of which are fleeting while others are chronic (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2008). Additionally, the people who are diagnosed with certain conditions that affect their physical health have a two-fold risk of developing anxiety and depression when compared to the other population (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2008).
The correlation between mental health and physical health is of interest because of the economic costs that result from the relationship between the two variables. The loss of productivity and the increase in the demand for health services, fuels most of the interest (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2008). Additionally, the number of studies that link depression and stress to chronic conditions such as cancer have increased. This warrants the exploration of the general topic of the correlation between physical health and mental health, and more specifically, the connection between cancer and mental health.
Discussion
Psychoneuroimmunology is one of the fields of study in which the interest in the link between physical health and mental health, particularly between mental health and cancer has gained impetus. Scholars such as Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto (2004) have found that the development of certain cancers and the progression and severity of others is influenced by depression and chronic stress. The research into the link between these variables has yielded the mechanisms through which depression and chronic stress influence the development of certain cancers and the progression of others (Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto, 2004).
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in an individual is stimulated constantly when and individual is undergoing depression or experiences chronic stress. The result of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation is the impairment of the body’s immune response (Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto, 2004). The impairment of the body’s immune response is what contributes to the development of certain cancers and the progression of others (Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto, 2004). This mechanism is also reported by Moreno-Smith, Lutgendorf & Sood (2010) who also found an association between cancer and stress and depression.
The occurrence of depression and chronic stress also compromises various immunological factors at both the molecular and cellular level (Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto, 2004).The compromise of the immunological factors have an influence on the initiation of various cancers that affect human beings. The compromise of the immunological factors also influences the progression of various cancers from one stage to another (Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto, 2004). The impairment of the immunological factors as a result of depression and chronic stress affects the immune reactions of the body to various stages of the cancer. The effect is either through the enhancement or inhibition of the immune reactions. The impact of the effect on the immune reactions is dependent on factors such as age, sex the type of the stressing factors and their intensity.
Cytotoxic T cells are very important in the prevention of the initiation of cancerous cells in the human body. These T lymphocytes are tasked with the killing of cells that have already developed cancer, the cells that have been damaged and those infected by viruses. Research carried out by Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto (2004) showed that depression and chronic stress are linked with the reduction of the number of cytotoxic T-cells in the human body. The activities that are performed by the cytotoxic T-cells are also impaired. This means that the surveillance of tumors by the body’s immune system is inhibited (Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto, 2004). This also means that the modulation of the development of somatic mutations as well as the prevention of genomic instability is compromised. This results in an increased risk of the development of cancer (Reiche, Nunes & Morrimoto, 2004).
As highlighted previously, there is a bidirectional relationship between physical health and mental health. A diagnosis of cancer affects not only the patients but also their families and caregivers. As the American Cancer Society writes, "Feelings of depression, anxiety, and fear are very common and are normal responses to this life-changing experience" (American Cancer Society, 2016). Changes in body make people feel diffident and bring down self-esteem, physical symptoms have negative impact on emotional state, and numerous fears are developed such as fear of death, loneliness or suffering. Moreover, depressive thoughts can appear even after cancer is treated. Certainly, it's normal to experience stress connected with such significant changes in life. That is why it is very important not to miss the situation when temporary difficulties grow into lasting symptoms (American Cancer Society, 2016).
Application and Reflections
The bidirectional relationship between mental health and physical health is significant, especially for patients who have both mental and physical concerns. As highlighted above, the diagnosis with a chronic physical conditions such as cancer might serve as a stressor to the individual. If left unchecked, the stress might progress to depression. It is my opinion that even if such an individual was knowledgeable of the influence of stress on the development on the metastasis of cancer, it might still be difficult to cope with the stress.
It is for this reason that such a person might require professional help and social support. The Foundation of Women’s Cancer (2016) reports that social support is crucial for the management of stress. The Foundation of Women’s Cancer (2016) reports those diagnosed with cancer and have a social support system have been found to have reduced level of the chemicals that result in aggressive tumors and the growth of more cancerous cells. These findings underscores the importance of stress management among patients diagnosed with cancer.
At times, the effect of the social support may be insufficient. This is especially the case when there are other constraints that serves as sources of stress. For instance, I imagine the financial cost involved in the treatment of cancer would be a stressing factor. Even if the family and friends helped foot the medical bills, one might still feel as a burden to them, especially when the family members are not affluent. I would recommended professional counselling to help develop coping strategies that are effective considering the type, source, and degree of stress. This is a recommendation with which Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Psychosocial Services to Cancer Patients/Families in a Community Setting (2008) agrees.
Conclusion
The interest surround the link the between physical health and mental health is not without merit. The paper has highlighted the bidirectional relationship that exists between the two variables. The diagnosis with a chronic condition such as cancer can cause one a lot of stress, something that could develop into depression if not managed well. Stress also predisposes one to a higher risk to developing cancer. In either directions, stress management is required on the account of the consequences, the economic cost incurred in the management of the physical manifestations of the effect of stress, and the knowledge of its effect on not only the development but also the progression of cancer.
References
American Cancer Society. (2016). Having cancer affects your emotional health. Anxiety, Fear, and Depression. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/002816-pdf.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association. (2008). The Relationship between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Chronic Physical Conditions. Retrieved from http://ontario.cmha.ca/public_policy/the-relationship-between-mental-health-mental- illness-and-chronic-physical-conditions/#.V5io52h95aQ.
Foundation of Women’s Cancer. (2016). Cancer and stress. Retrieved from http://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/types-of-gynecologic-cancers/ovarian/cancer-and-stress/
Moreno-Smith, M., Lutgendorf, S. and Sood, A. (2010). Impact of stress on cancer metastasis. Future Oncology. 6(12): 1863-1881.
Reiche, E., Nunes, S. & Morrimoto, H. (2004). Stress, depression, the immune system, and cancer. The Lancet Oncology. 5(10): 617-625.
