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Study Uninterrupted stress in the workplace can cause cancer
At the present time, more and more people are suffering from the effects of stress at work. Researchers now found that stress at work significantly increases the likelihood of some types of cancer. These include, for example, stomach and lung cancer.
Researchers at Quebec University found in an investigation that stress at work leads to increased cancer risk. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Preventative Medicine".
Too much stress is unhealthy for the human body. Researchers found in a study that persistent work-related stress in men can lead to various cancers. (Image: Rido / fotolia.com) Permanent stress at work can lead to cancer
When men work 15 years in a stressful job, they increase their risk for five different types of cancer. These include, for example, stomach and lung cancer, say the authors. It has already been established that stress in the job can jeopardize healthy blood pressure. In general, work insecurity, high workload and time pressure should be considered as a public health issue, the experts explain.
So far, the connection between stress and cancer was still unconfirmed
Although it has long been known that stress triggers a range of human health problems, research has so far revealed only weak evidence that stress can also trigger cancer, the researchers say. Some studies have already shown a link between various psychological factors and an increased risk of developing cancer. Other studies could not confirm these results, the scientists report.
Workload and time pressure cause stress in the workplace
The current study sought to demonstrate a link between stress at work and cancer. Quebec University researchers investigated the prevalence of cancer in men with work-related stress. Workload and time pressure were not the only two factors of stress reported by participants.
Other reasons for stress at work:
Some of the 3,103 participating adult volunteers diagnosed with cancer also complained of work insecurity, financial problems, and customer relationships. Others included, for example, demanding or dangerous working conditions, employee monitoring and interpersonal conflicts, the authors explain.
What cancers can cause stress at work?
Significant links were found from stress at work to gastric, lung, colon and colon cancers. Also, the occurrence of so-called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was influenced by the stress occurring. The identified health problems were diagnosed in men who were exposed to work-related stress for 15 years, say the experts. However, such a connection could not be established if the subjects were exposed to high pressure at work for less than 15 years.
Stress also leads to cardiovascular disease
Other research has already shown that stressful life significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Scientists from the acclaimed Harvard Medical School discovered in their study that anxiety and stress are directly related to cardiovascular disease. The results combine mental well-being with general physical health. For this reason, when treating people with chronic stress, physicians should pay particular attention to an increased risk of heart attack.
Further research is needed
People who are under a lot of stress may be prone to smoking, overeating and alcohol consumption, the experts believe. For example, the most polluted workplaces were firefighters, engineers and mechanics. The association between the perceived mental stress at work (over the entire professional career) and cancer in men has never been assessed before, explains the study author. Blanc-Lapierre of Quebec University. But the researchers also say that the results do not prove anything yet and are based on a summary assessment of specific jobs. Further research is needed to produce reliable load measurements that take all sources into account. (As)