In response to danger, the body secretes hormones that cause the heart and lungs to work faster, blood pressure goes up, skeletal muscles tighten, and digestive processes slow down. All of these changes are to prepare the body for physical exertion. In today's high stress society, most of our threats do not involve physical danger. However, the mind's imagination is so powerful that a perceived stress elicits the same fight or flight response that a physical stress evokes. When our body is primed for physical activity by the stress response and we continue with our sedentary activity, this imposes an added burden on the body, somewhat like stepping on the accelerator in your automobile while at the same time holding down the brake pedal.
Cancer is a disease that is influenced by the stress response.
One researcher found that the majority of cancer patients had a severe emotional trauma early in life, such as the loss of a parent. Other research suggests that cancer patients have difficulty expressing their emotions. One can speculate that pent-up emotional energy finds its outlet in the manifestation of cancer. Another aspect of cancer-prone personalities is their rigid way of looking at the world. They perceive self-imposed 'rules' by which they must live.