For the few of you still holding onto the belief that the development of disease and strong emotions aren't connected in some way, it's time to let that myth go for good.

A common molecular protein (heat shock factor-1) triggered by stress -- strong emotions or physical duress brought on by intense workouts -- activates a second protein (Hsp27) that allows cancer cells to survive the typical therapy regimens of radiation and chemotherapy.

The presence and effect of heat shock factor-1 in a cancer environment worried one Ohio State University heart researcher who observed how it protected heart tissue in toxic environments. His concerns were confirmed after experiments with breast cancer cells consistently demonstrated how heat shock factor-1 triggered the expression of Hsp27 that protected cancer cells from elimination, even after exposure to common chemotherapy drugs and radiation that damaged the cells' DNA.

Before you ask, a known molecule (siRNA) reverses the effect of Hsp27 and reactivates the death of cancer cells, but it isn't suitable for cancer patients. And, there's no comparable drug in the development pipeline either.

These results led scientists to recommend cancer patients avoid both physical and emotional stressors in the one to two days prior to their cancer treatments, or risk limiting the good these therapies can do.

In the absence of a go-to drug, here's hoping scientists get around to studying how alternative treatments, like meditation and Qigong, reduce your stress levels and complement the beneficial effect of your cancer treatments.

Molecular Cancer Research September 21, 2010

healthfinder.gov September 23, 2010

ScienceDaily September 22, 2010