Affiliations: [a] Área de Biología y Salud Integral, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, México | [b] Doctorado en Psicología, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas, Universidad Veracruzana, México | [c] Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Coordinación de Psicobiología y Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Tania Romo-González, PhD, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Dr. Luis Castelazo
Ayala s/n, Col. Industrial Ánimas, Km. 2.5 carretera Xalapa-Veracruz, CP 91190, México. Tel.: +52 228
8418900/Ext. 13401; E-mail: tromogonzalez@uv.mx.
Abstract: Breast cancer is a neoplastic process thought to arise from the activation of oncogenes in mammary stem cells following chronic exposure to adverse settings (e.g., high estradiol blood concentrations). In spite of the acceptance of this notion, psychological studies support the premise that female personality may influence BC onset, progression and outcome. Medical opinion, however, casts doubts on these assertions. We consider, nonetheless, that controversies arise from the unsupported belief that the workings of the body, including its diseased states, proceed with no consideration for the emotional component. In this review, we first describe and discuss the literature that supports the role of personality on BC onset, progression and outcome in order to propose a physiological mechanism by which personality may influence BC biology. We hope this effort could provide a conceptual framework sufficient enough for the medical establishment to begin considering introducing psychological monitoring among the protocolized prognostic and diagnostic tools aimed at identifying women at risk of developing BC and to have follow up management once diagnosed.
Keywords: Breast cancer, behavioral tendencies, suppression of emotions, stress, health-emotions interaction
