Stress Reduces Risk For Breast Cancer?

Danish researchers report this week that women who feel stressed out are less likely to develop breast cancer. The reports of the study are published in the British Medical Journal. The theory behind the claim? As women get stressed out, more stress hormones are being produced. This means less estrogen production. Less estrogen mean the lesser of a chance of developing some types of breast cancer.

Keep in mind that stress is not a good thing for the body though, especially for the heart. 39% of the highly stressed women died before the 18 year study concluded.

SourceNielsen, N. British Medical Journal, Sept. 10, 2005; vol 331: pp 548-550. News release, British Medical Journal.