Over my long career, I’ve written many times about the link between negative emotion and cancer diagnosis.  Since stress, depression, and other mood disorders impact your immune system through rampant inflammation, it stands to reason that your cells would suffer from prolonged negativity.

The majority of studies conducted on the subject have shown a serious – and thus preventable – link to overall health, specifically in the case of heart disease and cancer.  Since these diseases are the #1 and #2 killers in the world (respectively), establishing methods to improve thinking and emotions is critical.

Particularly if you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer.

Unfortunately, we can’t go back in time and change how we used to think, eat, or treat our physiques to prevent the onset of disease.  However, every single moment counts once your doctor tells you cancer is present in your body.

The Science Behind Your Emotions and Cancer Mortality

In their study, the Department of Psychiatry with Ohio State University College of Medicine confirmed that negative emotions worsened future health risks and existing health conditions.

The authors explain there is, “A range of diseases whose onset and course may be influenced by the immune system; inflammation has been linked to a spectrum of conditions associated with aging, including cardiov

ascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, frailty and functional decline, periodontal disease, prolonged infection, and delayed wound healing.”

They go on explain the damaging effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines.  Cytokine production is stimulated by stress and negativity.  These inflammatory conditions are easily sustained if you’re already ill.

The researchers offer a solution.  “Close personal relations

hips that diminish negative emotions enhance health in part through their positive impact on immune and endocrine regulation.”

Dr. Lydia Temoshok, a University of California (San Francisco) psychologist, determined that those individuals who “repress” emotion – presenting an outer image of calm while filled with chaos internally – have a higher risk of developing some cancers.  Patients with this tendency may state they aren’t stressed but their body is internalizing those repressed emotions and expressing them through a physical manifestation.

Belief vs Non-Belief in the Mind-Body Connection

Most conventional doctors mock any reference to mind over matter or the power of human thought on human health.  It’s taken decades for the science about the devastating impact of stress on your body to even gain recognition.

Now it’s considered an undisputed fact that stress leads to chronic inflammation leads to serious conditions and disease that can destroy your life.

Still, the refusal to believe (or even consider) that your thoughts have the ability to either hurt you or heal you seems to be a silly concept in most medical circles.  It’s chalked up to “quackery” and “pseudoscience” that has no real place in the discussion about stopping disease.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Emotions do affect your health.  Emotions and cancer are linked.  Negative emotions that are out of control will eventually make you sick – or keep you sick.

If you’re a person who doesn’t believe in the power of positive thoughts and changing the way you look at your past, present, and future, it’s unlikely that I’ll be able to tell you anything that you’ll embrace.

However, if you’re a person who does believe – whether that is based in faith or past experiences in your own life – then you can influence your cancer outcome.

Yes, the science is divided.  There are those in the medical community who’ve witnessed incredible results with patients who incorporate support groups, strong familial relationships, and a personal peace that comes from within the patient themselves.

There are doctors who – and I know this to be true – take a hard line with their patients.

They tell them to “stick to the science,” “take the medications,” and “trust me to know what’s best for you.”  They don’t talk about the importance of diet, there isn’t a discussion about how the patient feels, and there is no encouragement about alternative solutions that (at the very least) have been proven effective in easing the side effects of conventional therapies (such as acupuncture for nausea caused by radiation and chemotherapy).

These medical professionals may think they’re doing the right thing by pushing (and trusting) the pharmaceutical or surgical angle.  After all, it’s how doctors are trained.

It’s how I was trained. 

At the University of Utah, researchers with the Department of Psychology and Health Psychology Program wrote of their findings in 2009, “Although the longer-term effects of such [social support] interventions on physical health remain to be determined, such interventions show promise in influencing the quality of life in many chronic disease populations.”

No matter the disease or condition you’re fighting (or trying to prevent), I’ve repeatedly seen the power of the human mind to affect incredible outcomes and changes.

Disease, worry for your family, facing the unknown, stress about finances, and so much more can destroy your peace of mind.  It can move over you like a wave and derail you.

5 tips to remember when you become overwhelmed, afraid, or sad…

• Stop and simply be for a moment. Allow yourself to feel whatever it is, acknowledge the negativity, the sadness, the anger…these are valid emotions and you have a right to them.
• Focus on your breathing and the immediate present. Remember that right now, at this moment, you are alive.
• Pray, meditate, or talk internally to a person you respect who might not be with you.
• If possible, distract yourself with something or someone you love, call a friend on the phone, contact a therapist, go to a support group meeting, or simply ask a co-worker about their cat.
• Take a walk, focus on your breathing, continue to distract your mind.

When you feel somewhat balanced again, train your thoughts on what makes you happy, what makes you feel deep joy.  What specifically about those people or things bring you bliss?

Change your thinking.  You can strengthen the health of your body by also strengthening your mental and emotional health.  You do not have to do it alone!  There are many incredible people and support groups you can call or join.

Positive thinking costs you nothing.  Eating right is such a simple change you can make.  Getting adequate sleep is something your body craves anyway.  Taking walks is good for your mental and physical health.

All of these things can change your life and there are no side effects.  No matter what your current health, gender, or age – these steps can improve your quality of life at every level.

It isn’t always easy to change what we do – much less how we think.  Dealing with cancer and emotions that are negative may not be easy but nothing about dealing with a deadly disease is easy.  You can do this.